Soul Nebula in Cassiopeia
A massive star-forming emission nebula 7,500 light years away. The red color is characteristic of the energized Hydrogen gas which comprises most of such structures. There are several small young open clusters embedded in the nebula, having recently been formed by the exquisitely patient force of gravity drawing the gas and dust together in clumps which become stars.
Science Stuff: this nebula offers some of the most convincing evidence of the "triggered star formation" theory: Cavities visible within the nebula (more so in Hubble and Spitzer images!) are caused by radiation and solar winds from large hot stars, which "squeezes" the gas at the peripheries, in turn causing the ignition of younger generations of stars.
The Soul Nebula is known to astrophysicists as Westerhout 5, or W5. Here's an interesting video about W5:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/.../The_W5_Stellar_Blast...I've imaged this nebula before but my gear and skillz have evolved considerably since then, and I decided it was worth another shot.
Tech Stuff: Askar FRA400 72mm Refractor, ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro Camera, Orion Sirius mount, Baader Moon & Skyglow filter. 180x120s exposures (6h). APT Capture, processed with Astro Pixel Processor, PixInsight and Photoshop. Captured 11/23/22 from my home in Rhinebeck, NY.
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