For reasons unknown, NGC 6357 is forming some of the most massive stars
ever discovered. One such massive star, near the center of NGC 6357, is
framed above carving out its own interstellar castle with its energetic
light from surrounding gas and dust. In the greater nebula, the
intricate patterns are caused by complex interactions between
interstellar winds, radiation pressures, magnetic fields, and gravity.
The overall glow of the nebula results from the emission of light from
ionized hydrogen gas. Near the more obvious Cat's Paw nebula, NGC 6357
houses the open star cluster Pismis 24, home to many of these
tremendously bright and blue stars. The central part of NGC 6357 shown
spans about 10 light years and lies about 8,000 light years away toward
the constellation of the Scorpion.
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