This brilliant and colorful image of Sharpless 155, also known as the Cave Nebula, reveals a complex region of star formation and glowing gas sculpted by powerful stellar winds and radiation. Captured in the SHO palette (Sulfur, Hydrogen, Oxygen), this narrowband composite highlights the intricate interplay of ionized gases across the emission nebula in vivid contrast: sulfur in red, hydrogen in green, and oxygen in blue.

Located in the constellation Cepheus, the Cave Nebula is a blend of emission, reflection, and dark nebulae. The bright wall of gas seen on the left appears to form a cavern-like hollow, giving this nebula its popular name. This image represents 37 hours of total exposure, allowing for fine detail in the faintest structures of this richly textured cosmic landscape.