| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
 NGC 6188 and the associated star cluster NGC 6193 | |
| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 16h 40m 05s[1] |
| Declination | −48° 47′[1] |
| Distance | 4,000 ly |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 20 x 12 arcmins[1] |
| Constellation | Ara |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | 300 ly |
NGC 6188, also known as the Firebird Nebula, is an emission nebula located about 4,000 light years away in the constellation Ara. The bright open cluster NGC 6193, visible to the naked eye, is responsible for a region of reflection nebulosity within NGC 6188.[1][2]
NGC 6188 is a star forming nebula, and is sculpted by the massive, young stars that have recently formed there – some are only a few million years old. This spark of formation was probably caused when the last batch of stars went supernova.
- ^ a b c d Dunlop, Storm (2005). Atlas of the Night Sky. Collins. ISBN 978-0-00-717223-8.
- ^ Filmer, Joshua. "Fighting Dragons of Ara". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.