IC 1805 - Heart Nebula

❤️ Heart Nebula – The Stellar Heartbeat of Cassiopeia ❤️

 

🔭 Scope & details:

Lights: 103x600" (HSO)

Telescope: T-16 Takahashi wide field refractor FSQ-106

Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MM Pro

Filters: LRGB Astrodon

Date: 24 Oct 2023

 

Floating in the constellation Cassiopeia, the Heart Nebula (IC 1805, Sh2-190) lies about 7,500 light-years away. With an apparent magnitude of ~6.5, it’s bright enough to hint at its presence under dark skies, but its true glory emerges through long exposures.

 

This glowing H II region spans roughly 150′ × 150′ in the sky, illuminated by the central star cluster Melotte 15, whose massive O-type stars sculpt the surrounding gas and dust into the iconic heart shape.

 

📍 Constellation: Cassiopeia

📍 Coordinates (J2000): RA 02h 33m 22s | Dec +61° 26′ 36″

🌌 Distance: ~7,500 light-years

🌟 Apparent Magnitude: ~6.5

 

May this cosmic heart remind you that beauty pulses even in the vastness of space. 💫

 

Follow for more glimpses into the Universe’s deepest ballet ✨

www.instagram.com/ale_motta_astrofotografia

 

Done