The Pacman Nebula NGC281

This emission nebula, glowing with ionized hydrogen gas, is a vibrant stellar nursery where massive young stars are born. Their intense radiation carves out the iconic Pac-Man shape, creating a breathtaking sight for astronomers and astrophotographers alike. This image, captured using narrowband SHO (Sulfur-II, Hydrogen-alpha, Oxygen-III) filters, isolates specific wavelengths of light to reveal the nebula's intricate structure and the chemical composition of its gases.