UAE observatory releases stunning image of nebula 550 light-years away

An observatory in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) captured a nebula located at a distance of around 550 light years away called Cassiopeia's Ghost, reported Khaleej Times.

The picture was taken by Al Khatam Astronomical Observatory and was posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomical Centre said on social media: "It is composed of cosmic gas and dust, and is located 550 light-years away. The nebula consists mostly of ionised hydrogen.”

“It appears red due to ultraviolet rays coming from a giant blue star near it that does not appear in the image [Gamma Cassiopeia], and the light blue colour is due to the reflection of rays from the dust in the nebula,” the statement noted.

According to the publication, the picture image was taken using the main observatory telescope with a diameter of 36cm.

It consists of a compilation of 156 images taken with a hydrogen filter, 153 images taken with a sulfur filter, and 155 images taken with an oxygen filter, the Times reported. 

The latest picture comes days after the James Webb Space Telescope captured the oldest galaxy of the cosmos, dating back to a few million years after the Big Bang.