The Heart Nebula (IC 1805)

Overview

This project was a really fun one because I imaged it fully across LRGB and narrowbad filters (Ha, S2, and O3). It’s stock full of integration time, but it was a really fun challenge.

The Heart Nebula, officially designated IC 1805, is a vibrant emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia, roughly 7,500 light-years away. It spans about 200 light-years across and is named for its striking resemblance to a human heart in astrophotographs. This nebula is part of a larger star-forming region known as the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way. Its distinctive red glow is caused by ionized hydrogen gas energized by a cluster of young, massive stars at its core, collectively known as Melotte 15.

Melotte 15 features some of the galaxy’s most luminous stars, which drive intense stellar winds, sculpting the nebula’s intricate shapes, including dark pillars and ridges. The Heart Nebula is often paired with its nearby counterpart, the Soul Nebula (IC 1848), forming the “Heart and Soul” duo. Visible with moderate telescopes, it is a popular target for astrophotographers using narrowband filters to highlight its intricate details in H-alpha emissions. The Heart Nebula provides astronomers a dynamic laboratory for studying stellar formation and the influence of massive stars on their surrounding environment.