description Sh2-308 Overview
Sh2-308 is an emission nebula located within the Canis Major constellation. It’s characterized by a prominent bubble structure formed around the Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris. This bubble, spanning approximately 60 light-years, represents material ejected from the star's intense stellar winds. Astronomers study this object to understand processes occurring in evolved massive stars and their surrounding environments.
Research is often focused on scientists investigating star formation and the dynamics of interstellar gas.
help Sh2-308 FAQ
Why is Sh2-308 called the Dolphin Head Nebula?
Its curved shell and protruding features resemble the outline of a dolphin's head in wide-field photographs. It is also catalogued as Sharpless 2-308 and lies in Canis Major.
Which star created Sh2-308?
The bubble surrounds EZ Canis Majoris, also known as WR 6, a Wolf-Rayet star. Its fast stellar wind sweeps previously expelled material into the visible shell.
How large is the Sh2-308 bubble?
Estimates commonly place its diameter at roughly 60 light-years. Its apparent size in the sky is several times the width of the full Moon, despite the nebula being extremely faint.
Why does Sh2-308 look blue in astrophotographs?
The shell emits strongly in the OIII wavelengths produced by doubly ionized oxygen. Narrowband OIII filters therefore reveal the bubble more effectively than ordinary short exposures.
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