The Heart Nebula, officially known as IC 1805, is a glowing region of gas and dust located about 7,500 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia. Its shape resembles a human heart, which gives it its name. At the center lies a cluster of young, massive stars called Melotte 15, whose intense radiation lights up the surrounding hydrogen gas in vivid red hues. These stars also sculpt the nebula’s structure, pushing and shaping the clouds into sweeping arcs and dark lanes.
The nebula spans roughly 150 light-years across, making it one of the larger star-forming regions in our part of the Milky Way. The brightest portion of the Heart Nebula is cataloged separately as NGC 896, which was the first part discovered and still stands out for its rich detail. Just like the Soul Nebula, Â long-exposure images reveal its intricate textures and glowing filaments.
For many observers, the Heart Nebula isn’t just a scientific object—it’s a symbol of cosmic creativity, where stars are born and shaped in the quiet beauty of deep space!