NGC281, Emission Nebula and Open Cluster in Cassiopeia
Distance 9600 light years
The complex is located in the Perseus arm of our galaxy and its visible structure spans some 60 light years. The molecular cloud counterpart has been busy in the last few million years forming the massive young stars of the central cluster IC 1590.
IC 1590 is the source of ionization for the visible nebula and an excellent example of a very young cluster where pre-main sequence stars can be found in abundance, indicating active and ongoing star formation.