Explanation:
Cosmic clouds seem to form
fantastic shapes in
the central regions of emission nebula IC 1805.
Of course, the clouds are sculpted
by stellar winds and radiation from massive hot stars in the nebula's
newborn star cluster,
Melotte 15.
About 1.5 million years young,
the cluster stars are toward the right in this
colorful skyscape,
along with dark dust clouds in
silhouette against glowing
atomic gas.
A composite of narrow and broad band telescopic images, the
view spans about 30 light-years and includes emission
from hydrogen in green, sulfur in red, and oxygen in blue hues.
Wider field images
reveal that IC 1805's simpler,
overall outline suggests its popular name -
The
Heart Nebula.
IC 1805 is located about 7,500 light years away toward the
constellation Cassiopeia.
