Sh 2-294
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sh 2-294, also known as the Octopus Nebula,[2] is a nebula in Monoceros. It was discovered by Wolfgang Strohmeier in 1950, during a photographic survey.[3]
| Nebula | |
|---|---|
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 07h 16m 35s |
| Declination | −09° 25′ 43″ |
| Distance | 3240[1] pc |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 7' |
| Constellation | Monoceros |
| Designations | ALS 18684, Gaze-Shajn 115, Strohmeier 8, [YDD2008] 717 |
Structure
It is ionized by a single B0 star, MFJ Sh 2-294 4. It has an unusual amount of dust, and is uncommonly red. A star cluster has begun to form in the nebula, with star formation caused by the expansion of the nebula.[4] The nebula contains 38 known young stellar objects, as observed by the Spitzer Space Telescope.[5]
