Westerhout 5 (Sharpless 2-199, LBN 667, Soul Nebula) is a Cassiopeia emission nebula. The nebula contains several small open clusters: CR 34, 632, and 634 (in the head) and IC 1848 (in the body). The object is also known by the cluster designation IC 1848.
Small emission nebula IC 1871 can be found just to the left of the top of the head, and small emission nebulae 670 and 669 can be found just below the lower back area.
It is a large emission nebula located in Cassiopeia, about 7,500 light-years from Earth. It is a region of active star formation, with young, hot stars at its core ionizing and glowing the surrounding hydrogen gas. Both the galaxies Maffei 1 and Maffei 2 are close to the nebula, but light extinction from the Milky Way makes them difficult to see. They were previously thought to be members of the Local Group, but are now known to be members of their own group, the IC 342/Maffei Group.
This complex is located to the east of IC1805 (Heart Nebula), and the two are frequently referred to as the “Heart and Soul.”
The Cassiopeia OB2 association, which includes the Heart Nebula and several other smaller nebulae, includes the Soul Nebula. This association is home to hundreds of massive, young stars and is one of the Milky Way galaxy’s most active star formation regions.
The Soul Nebula is a popular target for astrophotographers due to its striking appearance, which is dominated by a central region of bright, pinkish gas surrounded by dark clouds of dust. The nebula is also studied by astronomers to better understand the processes of star formation and the evolution of massive stars.
