Emission nebula | |
---|---|
H II region | |
![]() NGC 6357 composite image | |
Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
Right ascension | 17h 24m [1] |
Declination | −34° 20′[1] |
Distance | ~5900±450[2] ly (1800±140 pc) |
Constellation | Scorpius[3] |
Designations | War and Peace Nebula,[1] Lobster Nebula [4] Sharpless 11, RCW 131, Gum 66, Madokami |
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.[4][5] 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.[6] A petition by anime fans to rename it as the Madokami nebula, due to resemblance with a character, was unsuccessful.[7][8]
It is located about 5,500 light years away from Earth.[9]