mick laBriola

This fascinating field of view contrasts the glowing emission nebula Sh2-204 with the dark nebulae LDN 1388 and LDN 1389, creating a striking interplay between light and shadow.

Sh2 204 (Sharpless 204 / LBN 689) is an H II region—a cloud of ionized gas illuminated by massive O- or B-type stars, making it a potential stellar nursery. Its estimated distance is roughly 13 000 light-years, and it is thought to lie within the Cygnus Arm of the Milky Way. Being located within a spiral arm, Sh2 204 is not only a site of star formation but also an interesting target for studying Galactic structure and the interstellar environment.