SH2-284 is an HII star forming region of dust and gases, sculpted by the radiation and interstellar winds emanating from the young (3 to 4 million years) open star cluster Dolidze 25 located near its centre.  The inner edge of the main ring structure are numerous dark dust pillars, not unlike those of the Elephant’s Trunk nebula, of which the largest at the bottom of the image seems to resemble a hand, with a large bony finger pointing inwards; the cropped and rotated (up = north) image shows this feature better.  Despite its close resemblance to the Elephant’s Trunk and perhaps the nearby Rosette nebula too, it is surprising that the emission nebula SH2-284 seems to be less popular.  Being some x8 times further away it’s apparent size is smaller and much fainter but still forms an excellent late winter image target.


Data captured over five nights between 6th & 13th February 2023
Ha 53 x 300s
OIII 40 x 300s
SII 40 x 300s
R 35 x 60s
G 35 x 60s
B 34 x 60s
Total integration = 13hr 14min + all bin 2x2