                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                              2023 February 14
     Two red emission nebulas are shown in front of a dark but colorful
   starfield. The Soul Nebula is on the lower left, while the Heart Nebula
     is on the upper right. Please see the explanation for more detailed
                                information.

                         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
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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