IC 1805



20 minutes exposure. Kodak Ektachrome 400 slide film.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

IC 1805 is an unusually shaped emission nebula in eastern Cassopia, situated about 5 degrees north of the "double Cluster" in Perseus. Its nickname, the "Heart Nebula", derives from its shape as it does look like a big red valentine in the sky. The open cluster at the centre of the heart is Mel 15, while the bright patch of nebulosity at the base of the heart (upper right) is IC 1795. To the left of the heart is the bright open cluster NGC 1027.


This image is a combination of two 20 minute images, combined using Photoshop.