SH2-261

SH2-261 is an HII region in the constellation of Orion. It is also known as Lower’s Nebula named after Harold Lower and his son who discovered this object in 1939 using a self-made Schmidt camera.

Not a lot is known about this object but it is estimated to be about 3,200 ly years away, it has been suggested that it is a large ancient supernova remnant.

Above the bright star (top, left) HD 41997 a small reflection nebula is visible.

HD 41997 has been classified as a runaway star - these are massive stars that have been ejected from their star system and travel through space at high speeds.

Pixinsight, Blur Exterminator, Affinity, Star Exterminator, Topaz De-Noise/Sharpen

Dataset from which the image was processed

Sh 2-261

6 credit

Open

Telescope Live

CHI-1-CMOS

SH2-261

Wallpaper author:

Michelle Ashford

17 Feb 2026

SH2-261

SH2-261 is an HII region in the constellation of Orion. It is also known as Lower’s Nebula named after Harold Lower and his son who discovered this object in 1939 using a self-made Schmidt camera.

Not a lot is known about this object but it is estimated to be about 3,200 ly years away, it has been suggested that it is a large ancient supernova remnant.

Above the bright star (top, left) HD 41997 a small reflection nebula is visible.

HD 41997 has been classified as a runaway star - these are massive stars that have been ejected from their star system and travel through space at high speeds.

Pixinsight, Blur Exterminator, Affinity, Star Exterminator, Topaz De-Noise/Sharpen

Dataset from which the image was processed

Sh 2-261

6 credit

Open

Telescope Live