The Heart and Soul Nebulas
Explanation:
Is heart and soul of our Galaxy located in
Cassiopeia?
Possibly not, but that is where two bright
emission nebulas
nicknamed Heart and Soul can be found.
The
Heart Nebula, officially dubbed
IC 1805 and visible above on the right, has a shape
reminiscent of a classical
heart symbol.
Both nebulas shine brightly in the red light of
energized
hydrogen.
Several young open clusters of stars populate the image and are
visible above in blue, including the nebula centers.
Light takes about 6,000 years to reach us from these nebulas,
which together span roughly 300
light years.
Studies of stars and clusters like those found in the
Heart and Soul Nebulas have focussed on how
massive stars form and how they affect their environment.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
