NGC 6188 and NGC 6193 together form a striking and dynamic nebular region located in the constellation Ara, approximately 4,000 light-years from Earth. This area is a vivid showcase of active star formation, where the interplay between young, massive stars and the surrounding interstellar medium has sculpted a dramatic landscape of glowing gas and dark dust. The nebula NGC 6188 is an emission nebula, part of a larger complex of molecular clouds, and is often referred to as the “Rim Nebula” due to its sharp edges and intricate structures that resemble the contours of a rugged landscape.
NGC 6193, an open star cluster at the heart of this region, is the primary source of the ultraviolet radiation that illuminates and ionizes the surrounding gas in NGC 6188. This cluster contains several young, hot O-type stars, which are among the most massive and luminous stars known. These stars are only a few million years old and have already begun to shape their environment through powerful stellar winds and intense radiation, creating the bright emission seen in NGC 6188. The nebula itself is characterized by towering pillars of dark gas and dust, which are being eroded by the energetic radiation from NGC 6193, similar to the famous “Pillars of Creation” in the Eagle Nebula.
The region is also home to dense pockets of gas and dust where new stars are still forming, often hidden within the dark clouds that contrast sharply with the glowing nebular background. These star-forming regions are rich in molecular hydrogen and dust, the raw materials for star formation, and they represent the next generation of stars that will eventually emerge from this active stellar nursery.
NGC 6188 is part of a larger star-forming complex that also includes NGC 6164, a bipolar emission nebula formed by the massive star HD 148937. This star is an evolved O-type star that has shed its outer layers, creating a symmetric, dual-lobed nebula surrounding it. The relationship between these various objects highlights the different stages of stellar evolution occurring simultaneously in this region.
In contrast, NGC 6193 itself, while relatively young, is a more mature star cluster compared to the nascent stars forming in NGC 6188. The cluster’s stars are beginning to disperse, having already cleared out much of the surrounding gas that once obscured them. The interplay between these two objects—NGC 6188’s dense, star-forming nebula and NGC 6193’s open, radiating cluster—illustrates the lifecycle of stars and the dynamic processes that shape the interstellar medium.
The NGC 6188 and NGC 6193 region is a rich field for both amateur and professional astronomers, providing a detailed view of the complex interactions between stars and their birth clouds. Observations in various wavelengths, from visible light to infrared, reveal different aspects of this region’s composition and structure, from the glowing hydrogen gas in the nebula to the hidden young stars still embedded in their dusty cocoons. This area of the sky is not only visually stunning but also scientifically invaluable for understanding the processes of star formation and the evolution of massive stars.
THe image is a 3 panel mosaic from data we collected on a rented system in Australia.
Takahashi FSQ106-EDX4 fitted with F3.6 Reducer
10Micron GM1000 HPS
Player One Poseidon M-Pro
62 hrs, Gain 0 (RGB) / Gain 125 (HSO) F3.6, 382mm (573mm FF equivalent)