| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
| H II region | |
.jpg) Sharpless 2-106 | |
| Observation data: J2000.0epoch | |
| Subtype | bipolar nebula |
| Right ascension | 20h 27m 27.1s[1] |
| Declination | +37° 22′ 39″[1] |
| Distance | 2,000 ly (600 pc) |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 3′ × 3′ |
| Constellation | Cygnus |
| Designations | S106 |
| See also:Lists of nebulae | |
Sh 2-106,[2] also known as theCelestial Snow Angel, is anemission nebula and astar formation region in the constellationCygnus. It is aH II region estimated to be around 2,000light years (600 pc) fromEarth, in an isolated area of theMilky Way.[2]
In the center of the nebula is a young and massive star that emits jets of hot gas from its poles, forming the bipolar structure. Dust that surrounds the star is also ionized by it. The nebula spans about 2 light-years across.[3]
The central star, a source of infrared radiation usually referred to as S106 IR or S106 IRS 4.[4] It is a massive star, approximately 15 solar masses. Two jets of matter streaming from its poles heat surrounding matter to a temperature of around 10,000 °C.[3] Dust that is not ionized by the star's jets reflect light from the star. With an estimated surface temperature of 37,000 K, it is classified as atype O8 star. It loses around 10−6 per year in solar winds, ejecting material at around 100 km/s.[5]
Studies of images has revealed that the star-forming region has also created hundreds of low-massbrown dwarf stars[4] andprotostars.[6]
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