zoom_in Click to enlarge

Sharpless 2-261 (Sh2-261)

▲ ▼

description Sharpless 2-261 (Sh2-261) Overview

Sharpless 2-261, commonly referred to as Lower's Nebula, is a faint H II emission region located in the constellation Orion. Catalogued by astronomer Stewart Sharpless in his 1959 survey of H II regions, it is distinguished by its distinctively elongated, irregular shape. The nebula's structure is influenced by stellar winds and radiation from nearby young, hot stars ionizing the surrounding hydrogen gas. It remains an observational target primarily for amateur astrophotographers using specialized equipment.

help Sharpless 2-261 (Sh2-261) FAQ

Is Sharpless 2-261 a different object from Lower's Nebula?

No. Sharpless 2-261, Sh2-261, and Lower's Nebula are names for the same faint H II region in Orion. LBN 863 is another catalog identifier used for the object. [In-The-Sky](https://in-the-sky.org/data/object.php?id=Sharpless_261)

Why is the nebula called Sharpless 2-261?

The designation comes from Stewart Sharpless's catalog of H II regions published in 1959. The second Sharpless catalog gave many emission nebulae the Sh2 format used by observers today. [Deep Sky Corner](https://www.deepskycorner.ch/obj/sh2-261.en.php)

Where in the sky can I find Sharpless 2-261?

It lies in Orion at approximately right ascension 6 hours 8 minutes and declination plus 15 degrees 48 minutes. It is a large but faint target, so imaging equipment usually reveals more than visual observation. [In-The-Sky](https://in-the-sky.org/data/object.php?id=Sharpless_261)

Why does Sharpless 2-261 have an elongated, irregular appearance?

It is an H II region made of hydrogen gas ionized by ultraviolet radiation from hot stars. Uneven gas density and illumination help produce the stretched, irregular shape seen in images of Sh2-261. [AstroWorldCreations](https://www.astroworldcreations.com/image-details/sh2-261)

swap_horiz

Looking for Sharpless 2-261 (Sh2-261) alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward