IC 1871: Inside the Soul Nebula . ... The dark and brooding dust clouds outlined by bright ridges of glowing gas are cataloged as IC 1871. About 25 light-years across, the telescopic field of view spans only a small part of the much larger Heart and Soul nebulae. At an estimated distance of 6,500 light-years the star-forming complex lies within the Perseus spiral arm of the Milky Way , seen in planet Earth's skies toward the constellation Cassiopeia. ... NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...