Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cassiopeia (Cas)  ·  Contains:  IC 1590  ·  NGC 281
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Pacman Nebula - 10/28/2011, AstroPoverty
Pacman Nebula - 10/28/2011
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Pacman Nebula - 10/28/2011

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Pacman Nebula - 10/28/2011, AstroPoverty
Pacman Nebula - 10/28/2011
Powered byPixInsight

Pacman Nebula - 10/28/2011

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Description

Named for its resemblance to the Pacman video game, this nebula (NGC 281) is actively creating new stars. The center of the nebula contains a dense cluster of young stars (`3.5 million years old). The brightest central star (HD 5005) is actually a multiple star and has four companions in its orbit. If there were any planets orbiting in that solar system, they would literally have five suns. HD 5005 is the primary source of ionization in this nebula. The dense black / grey dust (to the right of the cluster) are known as Bok gobules. These areas essentially serve as cocoons for star birth.

The Pacman Nebula is located in the constellation Cassiopeia some 9600 light years distant.

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Pacman Nebula - 10/28/2011, AstroPoverty