Image Centered on Ra.17 : 24.6 (hours : minutes) Dec.-34 : 10 (degrees : minutes)
NGC 6357
Bright (emission and/or reflection) nebula in Scorpius
Dreyer's description: F, L, E, vglbM, D* inv
Cross Identifications: GC 4297, h 3682. War and Peace Nebula.
Fullsize Image
Information ( from the Anglo Australian Observatory website )
The star-forming nebulae NGC 6334 (UKS 11) and NGC 6357 show no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue-light plate used in these 3-colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous.
Optics and exposure info
Nikon Zoom lens at 200mm fl.
Mount, Losmandy G11 with Gemini control electronics
Imager, Starlite-Xpress SXV-h9 using Schuler Ha optical filter.
Exposure data, Ha = 90 minutes
Images acquired with Astroart and aligned then combined in Maxim Dl. Final RGB composite processed with Photoshop Cs
Images acquired from my backyard - " Dirt Clod Observatory" in Antelope California
