The Heart Nebula

For some reason, I keep coming back to this object. I just love all of those fine details in the heart nebula and it’s neighbour, the fish head nebula.

In the center of the heart nebula, there’s a small open cluster of stars, called Melotte 15. These stars are responsible for the ionization of the surrounding gas, making it glow in the characteristic red hue of hydrogen alpha emissions.

The fish head nebula, also known as IC 1795, is a bright emission nebula, located in the same star-forming region as the heart nebula. It’s a bit fainter than its neighbour, but still shows a lot of fine details.

Find more information about this object in my previous capture of the heart and soul nebulae.