The Pacman Nebula (NGC281) is an active star forming region. Prominent features include a small open cluster of stars, a diffuse red-glowing emission nebula, large lanes of obscuring gas and dust, and dense knots of dust and gas in which stars may still be forming. The open cluster of stars IC1590 visible around the center has formed only in the last few million years. The brightest member of this cluster is actually a multiple-star system shining light that helps ionize the nebula’s gas, causing the red glow visible throughout. The lanes of dust are likely homes of future star formation. Particularly striking are the dark Bok globules visible against the bright nebula. [adapted from NASA]

This is a narrowband composite using a ‘natural’ color scheme with predominantly red hues of the Ha emission. I am still not happy with the processing, due to noise reduction some of the features of the nebula lack crispness.