NGC 281, an emission nebula in Cassiopeia

SkyMap Pro gave me an excellent idea of the size and shape of this
emission nebula but no real idea of its compexity. I was very
surprised when I first saw the opaque, dark knots of gas and dust
called "Bok globules" absorbing light in the center of the emission
nebula. Near the globules is the young open cluster IC 1590 with its
compact group of extremely hot, massive stars generating a strong
stellar wind. The stars emit the visible and ultraviolet light that
energizes the surrounding hydrogen gas in NGC 281.


http://www.martin-nicholson.info/ngc281/ngc281.htm

Martin Nicholson, Daventry, England.
http://www.martin-nicholson.info/1/1a.htm
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