Morphology of W5-E. Peculiar structures discussed in the text (PDRs, fingers, pillars) are identified on the 350 μm image (logarithmic scale). The red circle shows the approximate extent of the optical H ii region (radius 12 pc). The right insert shows finger #1 in absorption, on a DSS-red image. The left insert shows fingers #4 and #5 pointing towards the exciting star, as they appear on the Spitzer 8.0 μm image (fingers #2 and #3 lie outside the Spitzer field). North is up and east is left.