What are the actual dimensions of the Horsehead nebula?

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SUMMARY

The Horsehead Nebula has apparent dimensions of 8x6 arcminutes and is located approximately 1500 light-years away from Earth. To calculate its actual dimensions in light-years, one can use the formula: actual size = distance * tan(apparent size in degrees). Applying this, the dimensions are calculated as 3.5 light-years by 2.6 light-years. This method confirms the accuracy of the calculations provided by the user Maria.

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Maria76
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Hi,

I was looking at information about the Horsehead nebula on wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsehead_nebula

and it says that its apparent dimensions are 8x6 arcmins.

I'm not sure how to find the actual dimensions, say in light-years. Here's how I believe it should be, but I'm sure I'm wrong.

According to wikipedia, the nebula is 1500 ly away. 1 arcmin = 1/60 degrees. So the dimensions should be:

1500*tan(8/60) by 1500*tan(6/60), which is 3.5 ly by 2.6 ly.

Have I got it right, or have I missed something obvious.

Thanks,
Maria
 
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Maria76 said:
1500*tan(8/60) by 1500*tan(6/60), which is 3.5 ly by 2.6 ly.

Confirmed.
 

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