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Prawn Nebula (IC 4628)

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description Prawn Nebula (IC 4628) Overview

The Prawn Nebula, cataloged as IC 4628, is a large emission nebula and H II region located in the constellation Scorpius. Spanning roughly 250 light-years and situated about 6,000 light-years away from Earth, it is an area of active star formation. The nebula is almost entirely invisible to the unaided eye because its light is dominated by faint hydrogen-alpha emission, requiring specialized photographic equipment to observe its full extent.

help Prawn Nebula (IC 4628) FAQ

What is the Prawn Nebula?

The Prawn Nebula is the common name for IC 4628, a large emission nebula and H II region in Scorpius. It is an area where gas is associated with active star formation.

How far away is the Prawn Nebula?

IC 4628 is about 6,000 light-years from Earth. A light-year measures distance, so the light we see today began its journey thousands of years ago.

How large is the Prawn Nebula?

The nebula spans roughly 250 light-years. Its large scale reflects the extensive cloud of glowing gas associated with the star-forming region.

Why is IC 4628 called the Prawn Nebula?

The name comes from the nebula's visual resemblance to a prawn in astronomical images. Its formal catalog designation is IC 4628, and it lies in the constellation Scorpius.

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