心与魂星云

2023年2月14日

The Heart and Soul Nebulas
Image Credit & Copyright: Juan Lozano de Haro

Explanation: 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.

Tomorrow’s picture: airglow chateau

心与魂星云
图像提供与版权: Juan Lozano de Haro

说明: 我们银河系的心脏与灵魂都在仙后座之内吗？可能不是，但昵称为心与魂的二个明亮发射星云，倒真的都在仙后座里。具有经典心脏符号外观、昵称为IC 1805的心脏星云，位在这幅主题图像的右上方。它特殊的形状，或许是西洋情人节很贴切的献礼。而正式的编录号为IC 1871的灵魂星云，则位在左下角。这二团星云，都拥有激发态氢所发出的明亮泛红辉光，而这种色光也是构成这幅三色合成图像的其中一色。来自这些星云的光，传到我们这里大约要用上6,000年，而这两团星云合起来的跨幅大约有300光年。研究像心脏与灵魂星云内的恒星及星团之工作，侧重在了解大质量恒星如何形成，以及它们如何影响周围的环境。

明日的图片: airglow chateau