Also known as IC 11, or Sh2-184, and is occasionally referred to as the Pacman nebula due to its resemblance to the Pacman game's main character. The surrounding gas and dust is ionized by the open cluster IC 1590 which gives it a reddish glow. Several darker clumps can be seen which are called Bok globules. NGC 281 lies some 9500 light years away in the constellation of Cassiopeia. It was first noted by E. E. Barnard.