An astrophotography gallery featuring pictures of the Cave Nebula, also known as Caldwell 9 and Sh2-155, and facts about this mesmerising deep-sky object.
The Cave Nebula is a dark, dense cloud of cosmic gas embedded in a giant emission nebula. It is located in the Cepheus constellation in a region about 2,400 lightyears away from Earth.
In images of the Cave Nebula, the bright rim that can be clearly seen is illuminated by radiation from hot, young stars, producing a glowing cosmic cloud that has become a favourite target for those who enjoy engaging in a spot of deep-sky astronomy and astrophotography.
In fact, this curved arc was most likely the reason for Sh2-155 - as it is formally known - being given the moniker 'Cave Nebula' by Sir Patrick Moore, who probably felt it bore a resemblance to a cosmic cave.
Patrick also included it in his very own deep-sky catalogue the Caldwell Catalogue, making it a key deep-sky target that amateur astronomers and astrophotographers love to tick off their observing and capture list.
