Using a UHC filter at 100x, the field is immersed in a very large, faint nebulosity about a degree in length, elongated E-W. A large, bright region elongated N-S is at the east end, ~35 following the core, and seems detached from the main cloud. It surrounds a weak scattered group (Cr 34) that is devoid of stars in the center. The main body of nebulosity has a sharper border and is generally brighter to the north of the core and fades into the background on the south side. The outline is interesting on the north side with irregular extensions and bulges. A small brighter circular patch stands out at the west end about 10' W of the core.

E.E. Barnard discovered IC 1848 photographically and notified Dreyer directly. The IC description reads "Cl, st F, extends 8 min. f, in F neby." The Heart (IC 1805) and Soul (IC 1848) nebulae are part of the Cas OB6 Association, a sprawling complex of gas, dust and massive O- and B-class stars at a distance ~7500 light years in the Perseus Arm.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/2/99): at 100x, this large but weak grouping is dominated by a 2' pair of mag 7/8 stars which are both surrounded by several close, faint companions. The surrounding one degree field is undistinguished but it appears weakly concentrated around the bright pair. Faint nebulosity is visible in portions of the field. At 220x, the view is striking with ~12 stars huddled around the southern mag 9 star including a nice pair of mag 12 stars nearly collinear and equally spaced. The brighter mag 7 star (∑306) is surrounded by 8-10 companions. The 20' field is fairly rich but scattered with a matched pair of mag 9 stars ~10' N.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb