NGC 281, also known as the *Pacman Nebula* due to its resemblance to the classic video game character, is a stunning emission nebula located about 9,200 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia.

This H II region is part of a larger star-forming complex and is notable for its dense, dark globules known as Bok globules, which are regions where new stars may eventually form. The nebula glows due to the intense radiation emitted by young, massive stars within the open star cluster IC 1590 at its center. These hot stars ionize the surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to emit a beautiful reddish-pink light characteristic of ionized hydrogen. NGC 281 is also rich in dust and intricate filamentary structures, creating a highly detailed landscape of light and shadows.