A Pulsing Forge of New Stars
The Heart Nebula is a vast region of glowing gas and dark dust lanes, sculpted by the stellar winds of a small group of stars at its center called Melotte 15. These ultra-hot, massive stars are only about 1.5 million years old—babies in galactic terms. Their intense radiation causes the hydrogen to glow red and carves out the hollow center of the 'heart.' Often photographed alongside its neighbor, the Soul Nebula (IC 1848), together they form a massive star-forming complex that spans nearly 300 light-years.
Imaging Challenges
- • Capturing the extremely faint outer 'lobes' of the heart while preserving the bright details of the central pillars.
- • Balancing the blue OIII signal in the core against the overwhelming Red/Ha signal of the outer shell.
- • Managing the high star density of the Cassiopeia region to keep the nebula as the focal point.
The Heart Nebula is actually part of a larger complex that includes the Soul Nebula; together they are often referred to as the 'Heart and Soul' of the Perseus Arm.