NGC 6188 is an emission nebula in the constellation Ara. This image also shows the open cluster NGC 6193 (just left of top center, with the bright pair HD150136 and HD150135, both O-type stars). In fact, it is the ultraviolet light coming from the stars in that cluster, that fuels up the ionized hydrogen (HII, red) emission that we can see. The strong stellar winds from the stars in the cluster shape the nebula. This narrowband image has been processed as to reproduce the nebula’s visible spectrum. It shows a small patch (“wisps”, is probably a better description), that is brighter in OIII light, located between HD150136 and the nebula’s rim, and that betrays its presence by its soft bluish tint, on top of the bluish-OIII background. This nebula has been repeatedly related to another open cluster, NGC 6167, located about 1.5 degrees south of it, due to its probable role in triggering the star formation that originated NGC 6193.
This image is a 2 panel mosaic and has been taken to show a more complete view of the Dragons. The previous version can be seen here.
Additional Information
Object Name(s): NGC 6188. The Fighting Dragons of Ara
Type: Emission Nebula
RA: 16h 40m 29s
Dec: -48º 46’ 53”
Constellation: Ara
Size (arcmin): 96×24 arcmin
Magnitude: +5.2
Distance: 3,800 ly
Image
Date: 2019-07-18 to 2019-08-14
Location: iTelescope.net, SSO near Coonabarabran, NSW Australia
Size (arcmin): 99×36 arcmin
Telescope: 20” f/6.8 Reflector
Camera: SBIG STX16803 (4096x4096pix)
Guiding: Astrodon MonsterMOAG off-axis guider
Total exposure: 39.5 hours (Ha: 20.5 h; OIII: 16h; RGB: 3h, only stars)
Processing: CCDStack, Photoshop CC 2019