NGC 6357 Lobster Nebula

NGC 6357 spans about 400 light years and lies about 8,000 light years away toward the constellation of the Scorpion. Known as the Lobster Nebula it houses the open star cluster Pismis 24 near its centre, a home to unusually bright and massive stars. The overall blue glow near the inner star forming region results from the emission of ionized hydrogen gas. The surrounding nebula, featured here, holds a complex tapestry of gas, dark dust, stars still forming, and newly born stars.