Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cassiopeia (Cas)  ·  Contains:  IC 1805
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Heart Nebula (Ha) - 12/5/2010, AstroPoverty
Heart Nebula (Ha) - 12/5/2010
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Heart Nebula (Ha) - 12/5/2010

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Description

This image shows the core (center) of the heart nebula near the top center of the image. Here you will find an open cluster of stars that were born from the massive amounts of hydrogen (red) gas surrounding them. Several of these stars are 50 times more massive than our own sun. Coincidentally, the "heart" nebula is in the constellation Cassiopeia "The vain and boastful queen". In addition to the red hydrogen gas, you will notice some striking contrast in the black dust clouds that are scattered throughout the frame (most prominently toward the bottom).

This cluster of stars is only about 1.5 million years old (in contrast with our Sun's age of 5 billion years). Though you can't see it here, this emission nebula covers some 5 times the distance of the full moon (as perceived by us)...

Located in Cassiopeia, this nebula is some 7,500 light years distant.

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Heart Nebula (Ha) - 12/5/2010, AstroPoverty