NGC 1491 is an emission nebula located 10,000 light-years away in the constellation of Perseus at a declination of +51 degrees. The bright central portion seen here spans just 2 arc-minutes (5 light years), although overall the nebula spans about 30 arc-minutes (75 light years). I posted a wider FOV of this object
here last month.
The bright star at the center of this image, the 11th-magnitude star BD +50 886, is ionizing the gases of this nebula and creating a cavity in the gas that immediately surrounds it. The illuminated dust pillar just to its right is pointing right at this star.
This close shot with the C11 highlights the spiraling illuminated dust pillar which corkscrews up through the center of this nebula. Does it really corkscrew, or is it just my imagination? It is always impossible to tell since we can't truly image these in 3D. At least not yet.
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