Sh 2-152 and 2-153

The two objects in this image are Sharpless 2-152 and 2-153 in the Cepheus/Cassiopeia area of the sky.  Sh 2-153 is the larger HII to the right of the brighter and smaller Sh2-152.  As discussed in Pismus these two objects are physically related and likely formed out of the same cloud with Sh 2-152 being the younger object.  The objects lie at a distance of about 15,000 light years.

These regions are being ionized by bright O9V type stars and there is evidence of maser activity in Sh2-152 and a fair amount of dust as well (likely the reason for the reddening of the stars).