IC1805 Heart Nebula in Cassiopeia

IC1805 Heart Nebula in Cassiopeia

Image Details

  • HaRGB = 300:120:120:120 minutes
  • Takahashi Sky90
  • w/f4.5 field flattener
  • SBIG ST-2000XM w/CFW8A
  • Tru-Balance HaRGB Filters
  • CCDStack, Photoshop CS3
  • 10/07/2007, 10/08/2007, 10/18/2007 & 10/19/2007
  • Mead, Colorado

The image above shows the Heart nebula IC1805 (Sharpless 190) in the constellation of Cassiopeia. The heart may be hard to see in this orientation and somewhat restricted field of view. However, if you imagine the bottom of the heart pointing towards the upper right and two lobes; one pointing left center and the other bottom center, the heart shape should become apparent. The image is centered on open star cluster Melotte 15. The stellar winds from the stars of this cluster illuminate and shape the nebula.

Tombaugh 4 is the small cluster of stars at the upper right edge of the image. This cluster was first identified by Clyde Tombaugh, the discoverer of Pluto.