description Sharpless 2-264 Overview
Sharpless 2-264 is an H II region and emission nebula located in the constellation Orion. It is ionized by the star Lambda Orionis, which sits at the center of a large, ring-like molecular cloud structure often referred to as the Lambda Orionis Ring. The nebula was formally cataloged by astronomer Stewart Sharpless in his 1959 survey of Galactic nebulae. It is primarily observed by amateur and professional astronomers using long-exposure astrophotography to capture its faint hydrogen-alpha emissions.
help Sharpless 2-264 FAQ
What is Sharpless 2-264?
Sharpless 2-264 is an H II region and emission nebula in the constellation Orion. It is part of a large ring-like molecular-cloud structure associated with Lambda Orionis.
Which star ionizes Sharpless 2-264?
The nebula is ionized by Lambda Orionis, which lies near the center of the surrounding ring structure. Ultraviolet radiation from that star energizes the gas and produces the emission seen from the region.
Is Sharpless 2-264 the same as the Orion Nebula?
No. The Orion Nebula is commonly identified as Messier 42, while Sharpless 2-264 is a different, much larger emission region associated with Lambda Orionis.
Why is Sharpless 2-264 called an H II region?
An H II region is a cloud of ionized hydrogen surrounding hot, young stars. In Sharpless 2-264, stellar radiation from Lambda Orionis supplies the energy that keeps part of the gas ionized.
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