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NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula)
NGC 281, nicknamed the Pacman Nebula, is an emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia, about 9,200 light-years away. It is part of the Perseus Spiral Arm and spans roughly 48 light-years. The nebula glows due to ionization from nearby hot stars and contains dark dust lanes that give it its distinctive “Pacman” appearance. It is a rich star-forming region, hosting young stellar clusters, Bok globules, and active gas clouds.
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IC 1590 (Open Cluster inside NGC 281)
At the heart of NGC 281 lies IC 1590, a young open star cluster. Its massive, luminous O-type and B-type stars emit strong ultraviolet radiation, which ionizes the surrounding hydrogen gas, powering the nebula’s glow. The cluster is only a few million years old and represents an active site of star formation. Stellar winds and radiation pressure from these stars sculpt the surrounding nebula, driving further star birth and carving intricate shapes in the gas and dust.
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Bok Globules in NGC 281
NGC 281 is home to numerous Bok globules—dense, dark clouds of gas and dust. These compact regions are stellar nurseries where gravity may collapse material into protostars. Against the bright emission background, they appear as small, dark patches. Studies of these globules provide insights into the earliest stages of star formation, including how molecular clouds fragment and evolve. They are critical in shaping the nebula’s appearance, adding to its “Pacman” silhouette, and contribute to NGC 281’s role as a prime laboratory for stellar evolution.