NGC 6357

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NGC 6357

A Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image of Pismis 24-1, the "core" of NGC 6357.
Credit: HST/NASA/ESA.
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension 17h 24m[1]
Declination -34° 20′[1]
Constellation Scorpius[2]
Physical characteristics
Other designations War and Peace Nebula[1], Sharpless 11, RCW 131, Gum 66
See also: Diffuse nebula, Lists of nebulae
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NGC 6357 is a diffuse nebula near NGC 6334 in the constellation Scorpius. This nebula was given the name 'War and Peace Nebula' by the Midcourse Space Experiment scientists because of its appearance. They said that in infrared images the bright, western part resembles a dove, while the eastern part looks like a skull.[1]

This nebula includes the open cluster Pismis 24 and the very bright triple star Pismis 24-1. Below can be seen a Hubble space telescope picture of Pismis 24-1 at the "core" of NGC 6357[3].

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c SIMBAD Astronomical Database. Results for NGC 6357. Retrieved on 2007-05-03.
  2. ^ R. W. Sinnott, editor (1988). The Complete New General Catalogue and Index Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters by J. L. E. Dreyer. Sky Publishing Corporation and Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-933-34651-4. 
  3. ^ ESA Science & Technology: Star on a Hubble diet NGC 6357. Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
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