Sh 2-4

Sharpless 2-4
Emission nebula
H II region
As seen by the DESI Legacy Survey
Observation data: epoch
Right ascension17h 19m 48.5s
Declination−39° 20′ 19″[1]
Distance8,800 ly   (2,700 pc)
Apparent magnitude (V)14.95 [2]
Apparent dimensions (V)5'
ConstellationScorpius
DesignationsRCW 121, ESO 333-3, IRAS 17149-3916, Haro 3-6, PN H 2-6[3]
See also: Lists of nebulae

Sh 2-4 is an emission nebula in the constellation Scorpius. It is part of the Sharpless Catalog assembled by Stewart Sharpless.[4] It was originally misidentified as a planetary nebula. The incorrect planetary designation PN H 2-6 can still be used as an identifier. It may be associated with the star cluster Havlen-Moffat 1.[1]

Visibility

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The nebula is bright, and visible with longer exposure. The nebula mostly emits red light, making viewing through a hydrogen-alpha filter effective.[5]

Structure

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Havlen-Moffat 1 is known to be a source of ionization within Sh 2-4. The nebula contains two Wolf-Rayet stars, designated WR 87 and WR 89.[6] Contained within the nebula is the infrared cluster [DBS2003] 118. [7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Sharpless Observing Atlas" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Sharpless (Sh2) - Astrobasics". 13 September 2022.
  3. ^ "RCW 121".
  4. ^ "CCD Images of the Sharpless Catalog".
  5. ^ "SH2-4 (Sharpless 4)".
  6. ^ "RCW 121".
  7. ^ Dutra, C. M.; Bica, E.; Soares, J.; Barbuy, B. (2003). "New infrared star clusters in the southern Milky Way with 2MASS". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 400 (2): 533. arXiv:astro-ph/0301221. Bibcode:2003A&A...400..533D. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20030005.