Star Delta Scorpii & Nebulae Sharpless 2-1 and 2-7 | Steward Observatory

Star Delta Scorpii & Nebulae Sharpless 2-1 and 2-7 | Steward Observatory

The Sharpless catalogs, published in 1953 and 1959, contain about 300 objects. Sharpless 2-1 and 2-7, are the subjects of this photo. Sh 2-1, also known as Sharpless 1, is a reflection nebula in the constellation of Scorpius with Pi Scorpii at its center. Sh2-7 is an emission nebula in the Scorpius constellation. This nebula is around the star Delta Scorpii. It lies next to a large reflection nebula, Sh2-1. Delta Scorpii (top left) is a binary star in the constellation of Scorpius. The primary star is named Dschubba.

Astrophotographer Adam Block: "These clouds of amorphous gas are faint, diffuse and rarely have abrupt changes in structure. The bright star near the top left is Delta Scorpii (the southwestern star in the head of Scorpius) and surrounding it are the red glowing clouds of gas that comprise Sh2-7. Near the bottom of the frame is the smaller and brighter cavity of Sh2-1."

Distance: 440 light years

Credit & Copyright: Adam Block/Steward Observatory/University of Arizona

Image Date: April-May 2020

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