NGC 6357 · nebula

Lobster Nebula

NGC 6357 is a diffuse nebula near NGC 6334 in the constellation Scorpius.

RA17h 24m 43sDec−34° 12' 04"

Image: NASA. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: NGC 6357
All designations: NGC 6357 · Lobster Nebula
Object type: Nebula
Constellation: Scorpius
Best viewing: Summer

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 17h 24m 43s
Declination (J2000): −34° 12' 04"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —

III

Visibility tonight

The science

NGC 6357 is a diffuse nebula near NGC 6334 in the constellation Scorpius. The nebula contains many proto-stars shielded by dark discs of gas, and young stars wrapped in expanding "cocoons" or expanding gases surrounding these small stars. It is also known as the Lobster Nebula. This nebula was given the name War and Peace Nebula by the Midcourse Space Experiment scientists because of its appearance, which, in infrared images the bright, western part resembles a dove, while the eastern part looks like a skull. A petition by anime fans to rename it as the Madokami nebula, due to resemblance with a character, was unsuccessful.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0