Sh2-284 is a striking emission nebula located in the constellation Monoceros, home to an open cluster of young stars that illuminate and sculpt the surrounding clouds of ionized gas. This region is an active stellar nursery, where radiation and winds from newly formed stars have carved out vast cavities and ridges in the interstellar medium, creating the dramatic structures seen in this image.

Captured over multiple nights from Paderborn, Germany, the image was created using a portable astrophotography setup and narrowband filters to isolate the distinct emission lines of hydrogen (Hα), sulfur (SII), and oxygen (OIII). With a total integration time of 21 hours and 15 minutes (85 exposures of 5 minutes per filter), the resulting composition reveals the nebula’s vibrant, textured beauty—an intricate tapestry of stellar birth.