description NGC 6357 Overview
NGC 6357 is an emission nebula located in the constellation Scorpius at a distance of approximately 5,500 to 8,000 light-years from Earth. The nebula is an active star-forming region and contains the open star cluster Pismis 24, which includes some of the most massive stars known, with masses exceeding 100 times that of the Sun. The nebula is also known informally as the Lobster Nebula and the War and Peace Nebula, the latter name arising from infrared imagery that some observers felt resembled both a dove and a skull. It has been studied extensively through observations by telescopes including Hubble and Spitzer.
help NGC 6357 FAQ
Why is NGC 6357 often called the "War and Peace Nebula"?
It earned its nickname from astronomers at the Midcourse Space Experiment because, when viewed in infrared, its bright central region resembles a skull while the dust pillars look like a figure contemplating. The name references the famous Leo Tolstoy novel due to these contrasting visual elements.
What is the name of the massive star cluster inside NGC 6357?
The nebula actively houses the open star cluster Pismis 24, which contains several of the most massive stars ever discovered. The intense radiation from these giant, young stars is what illuminates the surrounding gas.
How far away is the War and Peace Nebula from Earth?
NGC 6357 is located approximately 5,500 to 8,000 light-years away from our solar system. It is situated in the constellation Scorpius, relatively close to the famous Cat's Paw Nebula.
What kind of astronomical object is NGC 6357?
NGC 6357 is classified as an emission nebula, meaning it is a vast cloud of highly ionized gas that emits its own light. The ionization is driven by the extreme ultraviolet radiation given off by the extremely hot young stars forming within it.
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