What specific phenomenon makes the Horsehead Nebula visible?
Answer
It is a dark cloud silhouetted against a brighter, glowing emission nebula behind it.
The Horsehead Nebula is a dark cloud of dust silhouetted against a brighter, glowing emission nebula, identified as IC 434, which lies behind it.

#Videos
Nebulae: Crash Course Astronomy #36 - YouTube
Related Questions
What are nebulae fundamentally composed of?What process makes Emission Nebulae luminous?Why do Reflection Nebulae typically appear blue?What is the historical origin of the term 'nebula'?What is the primary characteristic of a Dark Nebula in visible light?What fraction of a nebula's mass is typically attributed to dust?What type of radiation excites gas in an Emission Nebula?How are the most massive Dark Nebulae observable despite lacking visible light?What stellar remnant causes Planetary Nebulae to glow brightly?What specific phenomenon makes the Horsehead Nebula visible?