The Sh2-284 nebula, imaged by the VLT Survey Telescope

This spectacular picture of the Sh2-284 nebula has been captured in great detail by the VLT Survey Telescope at ESO’s Paranal Observatory. Sh2-284 is a star formation region, and at its centre there is a cluster of young stars, dubbed Dolidze 25. The radiation from this cluster is powerful enough to ionise the hydrogen gas in the nebula’s cloud. It is this ionisation that produces its bright orange and red colours.

This image is part of the VST Photometric Hα Survey of the Southern Galactic Plane and Bulge, led by Janet Drew at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK.

Credit:

ESO/VPHAS+ team. Acknowledgement: CASU

About the Image

Id:eso2309a
Type:Observation
Release date:27 June 2023, 14:00
Related releases:eso2309
Size:12617 x 12617 px

About the Object

Name:Sh2-284
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Emission : H II Region
Distance:15000 light years
Constellation:Monoceros
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEG
65.4 MB
Screensize JPEG
493.2 KB

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428.3 KB
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871.1 KB
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Coordinates

Position (RA):6 45 8.99
Position (Dec):0° 12' 48.94"
Field of view:45.00 x 45.00 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.0° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
u
350 nmVLT Survey Telescope
OmegaCAM
Optical
g
480 nmVLT Survey Telescope
OmegaCAM
Optical
r
625 nmVLT Survey Telescope
OmegaCAM
Optical
i
770 nmVLT Survey Telescope
OmegaCAM
Optical
Ha
659 nmVLT Survey Telescope
OmegaCAM