The Heart and Soul Nebulas

Is the heart and soul of our Galaxy located in Cassiopeia ? Possibly not, but that is where two bright emission nebulas nicknamed Heart and Soul can be found. The Heart Nebula , officially dubbed IC 1805 and visible in the featured image on the upper right, has a shape reminiscent of a classical heart symbol . The shape is perhaps fitting for Valentine's Day . The Soul Nebula is officially designated IC 1871 and is visible on the lower left. Both nebulas shine brightly in the red light of energized hydrogen , one of three colors shown in this three-color montage . Light takes about 6,000 years to reach us from these nebulas , which together span roughly 300 light years . Studies of stars and clusters like those found in the Heart and Soul nebulas have focused on how massive stars form and how they affect their environment .