This image captures a series of dark, emission and reflection nebulae in the constellation of Cepheus at a declination of +63 degrees. The most famous of these is the red hydrogen emission area Sh2-155, at the center of the image. Also known as the Cave Nebula and the 9th object in the Caldwell Catalog, it is located 2400 light years away and has a diameter of 35 light-years.
The bright rim of ionized hydrogen gas that forms the cave outline is being energized by the radiation from the two bright stars towards the top of the cave. Numerous winding dark dust lanes extend throughout the region.
A number of other interesting small reflection nebulae are seen in the lower half of the image as shown below:
vdB 155 is the misty purple nebula at lower right:
Just left of vdB 155 is an interesting small nebulae complex,
HH 168, which is being illuminated by colorful blue and yellow stars. The complex consists of a red emission nebula and a dim yellow keyhole-type nebula:
Further left and lower is a fascinating small white reflection nebula,
GN 22.55.2, surrounding a star that appears to be trying to break out of its birth cloud.
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