The Heart Nebula (SH2-190) is an emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia. It displays glowing ionized hydrogen gas. The brightest part of the nebula (a knot at its western edge) is separately classified as NGC 896, because it was the first part of the nebula to be discovered. The nebula’s intense red output and its morphology are driven by the radiation emanating from a small group of hot stars near the nebula’s center. The Heart Nebula is also made up of ionized oxygen and sulfur gasses, which are responsible for the rich blue and orange colors seen in narrowband images. The nebula spans almost 2 degrees in the sky, covering an area four times that of the diameter of the full moon.
The Soul Nebula (also know as SH2-199) is also an emission nebula located in Cassiopeia. It is also made up of ionized hydrogen, ionized oxygen and sulfur gasses, responsible for the rich red, blue and orange colors seen in narrowband images.
Distance:
The Heart and Soul nebulae are between 6,500 and 7,500 light-years (38,200 to 44,100 trillion or 38.2 to 44.1 quadrillion miles) from Earth.
Imaging:
My original post contained a 4×1 mosaic that many viewers panned as a terrible post-processing image. Thus, I re-shot these targets using a 135mm lens in a single shot to alleviate many of the post-processing issues I had. This version does not contain the double stars as in the last image. I’m slowly learning how to post-process this data, but I’m no artist. I had issues with clouds, as everyone does. Thus, this particular image is a stack of only 29 out of 78 subs @ 5 minutes each.
Equipment:
• Lens: Rokinon 135mm F/2, shot at f/2.8
• Mount: SkyWatcher Star Adventurer GTI
• Camera: ZWO ASI2600 MC Pro
• Filter: Optolong L-Extreme in Bortle 6 skies
• Guiding: ZWO ASI120mm Mini Monochrome Guide Camera with the ZWO 30mm f/4 Guide Scope
• Automation: ZWO ASIAir Mini
