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Emission Nebula

A cloud of ionized gas emitting light of various colors, often found in regions of active star formation and contributing to the reddish hues observed in galaxies.

Source: esa.int

APODs including "Emission Nebula"

Melotte 15 in the Heart

27/12/2013

Melotte 15 in the Heart
Image Credit: Jimmy Walker / NASA APOD

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 near the center of this colorful skyscape, along with dark dust clouds in silhouette. Dominated by emission from atomic hydrogen, the telescopic view spans about 30 light-years. But wider field images reveal that IC 1805's simpler, overall outline suggests its popular name - The Heart Nebula. IC 1805 is located along the northern Milky Way, about 7,500 light years distant toward the constellation Cassiopeia.