Sh2-264 is the Angelfish nebula, or Meissa Ring, a very large, faint, red emission nebula around Meissa (Lambda Orionis) in Orion. It is estimated to be 150 light-years in diameter.

Open cluster Cr 69 is located in the center of the nebula.

Meissa is a very hot massive O-type star that burns at 35,000 degrees Kelvin, and is 25 times as massive as the Sun. It is located at a distance of 1,000 light-years.

The Angelfish nebula is part of the giant Orion molecular cloud complex (OMC-1), which covers almost the entire constellation of Orion and includes M42, the Orion Nebula, B33, the Horsehead Nebula, and Sh2-246, Barnard's Loop.

North is to the top in the above image.

Sh2-264 Catalogs: Sh2-264 Common Name: Angelfish Nebula, Meissa Ring Object Type: Emission Nebula Size: 7° x 5° Constellation: Orion Image Field Centered At: RA: 05h 36m 30s Dec: +09° 32' 35"