Description:
Chamaeleon II is a small, nearby star-forming region located in the southern constellation Chamaeleon, about 500–600 light-years from Earth. It is part of the larger Chamaeleon Molecular Cloud Complex, which also includes Chamaeleon I and III. Though less active than Chamaeleon I, Chamaeleon II still contains dozens of young stellar objects (YSOs), including protostars and T Tauri stars.
The cloud is relatively compact and faint, best observed in infrared and radio wavelengths where the dust and young stars are more visible. Astronomers study Chamaeleon II to understand early stellar evolution, the formation of low-mass stars, and the role of molecular clouds in birthing stars.
Because of its proximity and youth (most stars are under a few million years old), Chamaeleon II is an important target for studying how stars like our Sun begin their life.