IC63 (the bright, pointed object) and IC59 (the weaker object) are commonly called Sharpless 2-185 (Sh 2-185). Both are illuminated by the B0 IV star Gamma Cas. Both nebulae are near this ionizing star, but have very different visual appearances. IC63 can be described as a "comet cloud", refers to gamma cas and is narrower and sharper defined than IC59. Spectral measurements indicate that IC59 at 590K is slightly cooler and less dense than IC63 at 630K. Both are not separate nebulae, but part of a much larger nebulous region surrounding Gamma Cas. Both nebulae have spectroscopic mid-infrared detections of molecular hydrogen and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Experts are discussing whether the H-a signal we capture in our images is actually an emission from the nebula, or reflection of the H-alpha light emitted by Gamma Cas, which is scattered by the dust in IC59 and IC63. This light scattering and reflection is called ERE (extended red emission). Gamma Cas is the prototype of a B0 IV star that emits significant H-alpha light. As it is slightly cooler than a BO V star, it can only slightly ionize molecular hydrogen in its environment. Thus it is possible that the H-alpha we capture in our images is a mixture of both processes: direct H-a emission from ionization and ERE.