Sh2-11 — War and Peace Nebula
HII Region in Scorpius
About
The War and Peace Nebula, also catalogued as NGC 6357 and known as the Lobster Nebula: a glowing hydrogen cloud in Scorpius about 5,500 light-years away. It hosts the cluster Pismis 24 with several very massive stars. The name comes from an infrared view that looks like a dove and a skull.
Imaging tips
- At 400–670 mm on APS-C (620–1,030 mm full frame) the nebula fills a third to half of the frame, with plenty of sky around it.
- An emission nebula, so narrowband suits it. Published images use Hα, OIII and SII (3 nm) with separate RGB frames for natural star colour.
- Very low target: it stays below about 6° from 50°N and 21° from 35°N, so it needs a clear southern horizon. Best in May and June.
Facts
- Size
- 60′
- Magnitude
- —
- Coordinates
- RA 17h 24.7m, Dec −34° 12′
- Framing, APS-C
- 400–670 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 620–1030 mm
- Best months
- May, Jun
- Peak altitude
- 6° from 50°N, 21° from 35°N