Wow! Soul-Searching Stargazer Spots Stunning Nebula (Photo)

Soul Nebula IC 1848 Steve Coates
Astrophotographer Steve Coates took this photo of IC 1848, the Soul Nebula, on Nov. 8 to 9, 2012 from Ocala, Florida and released to SPACE.com May 23, 2013. (Image credit: Steve Coates | www.CoatesAstrophotography.com)

The Soul Nebula dazzles in this captivating night sky photo.  

Astrophotographer Steve Coates took this image on Nov. 8 to 9, 2012 from Ocala, Fla. and released it to SPACE.com May 23, 2013. He used a QSI 683 ws camera, Orion 80 mm EON (FL 480 mm) telescope, Orion 50 mm guide scope with SSAG, Astrodon Tru-balance E-Series Generation II LRGB filters, Baader 7 nm Ha filter, mounted on a Losmandy G-11 with Gemini II to capture the image.

The Soul Nebula, or IC 1848, lies near its star-forming neighbor, the Heart Nebula, in the constellation Cassiopeia. The emission nebula is located about 6,500 light-years away and spans 100 light-years wide.

The Soul Nebula is located in a large star-forming area of the galaxy where gas, dust and radiation from newborn stars are carving a cavity in the bright cloud. [50 Amazing Nebula Photos]

See Also: Soul on Fire: Stargazer Bob Andersson's view of the Soul Nebula.

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Contributing Writer and Producer

Nina Sen is a freelance writer and producer who covered night sky photography and astronomy for Space.com. She began writing and producing content for Space.com in 2011 with a focus on story and image production, as well as amazing space photos captured by NASA telescopes and other missions. Her work also includes coverage of amazing images by astrophotographers that showcase the night sky's beauty.