AAPOD2 Image Archives
Image Title: Perseus Star Cradle
This bi-color image of the California Nebula is produced by combining data from two specific wavelengths: Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) and doubly ionized Oxygen (OIII). The red hues represent areas rich in ionized hydrogen (Ha emissions), indicative of regions with active star formation. The bluish-green tones correspond to OIII emissions, revealing areas with doubly ionized oxygen. This data aids astronomers in studying the nebula's chemical composition, ionization processes, and the influence of massive stars on its structure. The application of Ha and OIII imaging allows for a more detailed understanding of the dynamic astrophysical processes at play within this interstellar cloud located in the Perseus Arm of our Milky Way galaxy.