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Soul Nebula (IC 1848)
emission nebula in Cassiopeia
The Soul Nebula is the companion of the Heart Nebula in Cassiopeia, a large emission nebula with a dense star cluster and a feature called the Fish Head. It is usually shot together with the Heart, because they sit close in the sky.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- IC 1848
- Type
- emission nebula
- Constellation
- Cassiopeia
- Size
- 2.5° across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 6.5
- Distance
- about 7,500 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Nov
- Typical prime months
- Aug to Jan
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Filter
- Narrowband: Ha / OIII / SII, or a dual-band / UHC filter
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How to image Soul Nebula
- Ha or a dual-band filter is the key.
- A frame of about 6 degrees includes the Heart and the Soul.
- High in the northern sky in autumn.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which IC 1848 spans about 60% of the long side of the sensor, leaving room around it. Treat it as a starting point; the right framing is a matter of taste.
| Sensor | Focal length |
|---|---|
| 1-inch sensor (13.2 mm) | about 180 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 320 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 490 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point IC 1848 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | 85° | High in the sky |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | 75° | High in the sky |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 65° | High in the sky |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 55° | Workable |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | below horizon | Never rises |
Also worth imaging
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