Nasa shares image of spooky ‘witch head’ spotted lurking in deep space

The Witch Head Nebula, officially known as IC 2118, appears to resemble the profile of a witch in deep space (Picture: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cover Images) We’re just a few weeks away from Halloween, and Nasa has shared an appropriately spooky sight lurking in deep space. The eerie image shows a nebula that seems to resemble a witch’s head in profile — and has been given the fitting name ‘Witch Head Nebula’. Officially known as IC 2118, the ghostly formation lies between the constellations Orion and Eridanus, around 900 light-years from Earth. Its distinctive silhouette appears to form the profile of a witch, complete with a prominent chin and hooked nose. But rather than being anything supernatural, the apparition is a vast cloud of interstellar gas and dust illuminated by nearby supergiant star Rigel. The Witch Head is a reflection nebula, meaning it shines by reflecting light from a neighbouring star. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Its striking appearance is particularly blue because the dust grains scatter blue light more efficiently than red – similar to the process that makes Earth’s daytime sky appear blue. The nebula is difficult to spot with the naked eye, but Nasa says keen stargazers can improve their chances of seeing it by heading to a dark location and using a large-aperture telescope at low magnification. An infrared image previously captured by Nasa’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) also revealed clouds within the Witch Head where new stars are forming. And the cosmic witch even has a broom – with another formation nicknamed the Witch’s Broom found in the Western Veil Nebula in the constellation Cygnus. Arrow MORE: Hollyoaks Halloween special confirmed with huge names back from the dead Arrow MORE: ‘Phoenix planet’ born from star’s ashes could tell us what will happen when our sun dies Arrow MORE: I tried each UK chain’s Pumpkin Spice Latte — there was one clear winner News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.