The Tulip Nebula (SH2-101) is an emission nebula visible in the constellation Cygnus.
The cloud, composed essentially of hydrogen, is about 8,000 light-years away from us and extends for 70 light-years. Ultraviolet radiation from hot young stars at the edge of the Cygnus OB3 stellar association ionizes hydrogen atoms and fuels the Tulip Nebula's emission. In particular HDE 227018, a bright young O-type star near the center of the cloud, illuminates the cosmic tulip with a reddish glow. Also visible in the image is the microquasar Cygnus X-1, one of the most intense sources of X-ray radiation detectable from Earth. The curved shock front, barely visible at the top of the shot, results from the impact on interstellar material of the powerful jets emitted by the accretion disk of a black hole intent on devouring a star.

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