IC1805 · Heart Nebula
| Chinese name | 心形星云 |
|---|---|
| Type | Emission nebula |
| Constellation | Cas |
| RA | 02h33m |
| Dec | +61° |
| Apparent magnitude | 6.5ᵐ |
| Hemisphere | Northern |
| Best season | Autumn |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Focal length | 广角/中焦 135–400mm |
About
The Heart Nebula lies about 7,500 light-years away in Cassiopeia and is named for its overall heart-like outline, spanning more than 200 light-years. At its center sits the young open cluster Melotte 15, whose massive O-type stars carve the signature dust pillars, bright rims and central cavity with their fierce winds and radiation. The nebula's body glows deep red from ionized hydrogen and reveals rich structure in narrowband imaging. It is often paired with the brain-shaped Soul Nebula (IC 1848) to its east as the 「Heart and Soul.」 A favorite for wide-field narrowband work, it suits a medium focal length that captures it alongside the surrounding star field.