This cosmic expanse includes LDN 1355, LDN 1357, LDN 1358, as well as Van den Bergh (VdB) 7 and VdB 9.

LDN 1355, LDN 1357, and LDN 1358 are dark nebulae, consisting of dense interstellar dust that obscures the background starlight. In contrast, VdB 7 and VdB 9 are reflection nebulae. These nebulae do not emit their own light but instead reflect the light of nearby stars, illuminating the surrounding gas and dust.

The presence of these dark and reflection nebulae in the vicinity of the Helping Hand Nebula adds further complexity and beauty to the cosmic landscape, providing astronomers with a rich field for exploration and study of the interstellar medium.