WISE: Heart and Soul Nebulas in Infrared
Explanation:
Is the 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 in the above right, has a shape in
optical light reminiscent of a classical
heart symbol.
The
above image,
however, was taken in
infrared light by the
recently launched
WISE
telescope.
Infrared light penetrates well inside the vast and
complex bubbles created by newly formed stars in the
interior of these two massive star forming regions.
Studies of stars and dust like those found in the
Heart and
Soul Nebulas
have focussed on how
massive stars
form and how they affect their environment.
Light takes about 6,000 years to reach us from
these nebulas, which together span roughly 300
light years.
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.
