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The Scorpio OB 1 association, together with NGC 6231 and IC
4628 |
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Object description:
Our image shows the region around nebula IC 4628 (GUM
55) in the southern part of the constellation Scorpio. Besides many open star
clusters and faint, reddish emission nebulae, this region in the Milky Way is
dominated by a large number of dark clouds. In the upper right of the image a
small part of the ARA OB 1 stellar association is still
visible. |
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IC 4628 is a very large star
forming region with a diameter of about 250 light years and belongs to the Sco
OB1 association. This H-II region is only a part of a much larger, very faint,
region whose center is the open star cluster NGC 6231. It is cataloged as BBW
31100 or GUM 55. The total apparent size of BBW 31100 is given as 6 x 6
degrees. The Sco OB1 association lies at a distance of about 6000 light years
from the solar system. IC 4628 also bears the popular name of the Shrimp
Nebula.
The H-II region IC 4628 was discovered by Edward
Barnard, the American pioneer of astrophotography.
More information about IC 4628 on the
website at this URL.
« Click here or the thumbnail to load a large annoted image
and a size comparison to the full moon. |
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