NGC 6334 – The Cat's Paw Nebula in the constellation Scorpius
NGC 6334 is an extensive emission nebula in the constellation Scorpius and is one of the most active star-forming regions in our galaxy. Located about 5,700 light-years away, the nebula reveals numerous fine details across an area that appears as large as the full moon in the sky. The total mass of the nebula complex has been estimated at at least 220,000 solar masses, although only about four percent of this gas mass has been converted into stars so far.
In visible light, the nebula is divided into five distinct regions, separated from one another by dense dust clouds. Each of these subregions is illuminated by its own population of young, massive stars. The characteristic arrangement of the five regions gives the complex its characteristic appearance: viewed from a distance, the structure resembles the paw print of a celestial cat.
Star formation activity in NGC 6334 is remarkably high. Statistically, a new star is formed in the entire nebula complex approximately every 200 years, and in the densest core regions even every 130 years. This corresponds to more than 5,000 stars in a million years. The age of the nebula is estimated to be about two million years. Currently, it hosts around 2,200 young stars with at least one solar mass (S. Willis et al 2013 ApJ 778 96).
The close-up of the central region shows various types of nebulae side by side within a very small area. The largest portion of the image is occupied by the glowing red Hα emission regions, where ionized hydrogen gas is excited to glow. Alongside these are smaller blue and yellowish reflection nebulae, whose central stars are not hot enough to ionize the surrounding gas but merely scatter the light. Dust content of varying intensity along the line of sight creates additional subtle variations in color and brightness across the entire field of view.
The second image shows Gum 61, the southwestern lobe of the complex. This structure stands out clearly from the rest of the nebula due to its web-like filaments. These filaments form when the powerful stellar wind from a massive star strikes the surrounding interstellar medium, creating an expanding, unstable shell-like structure.
The image was featured as APOD Brazil on April 25, 2026.
| Date: | 28.06.-03.07.2025 |
| Optics: | Planewave CDK 14 with Televue 0.8x reducer |
| Aperture: | 350 mm |
| Focal Length: | 2050 mm |
| Camera: | QHY268M |
| Exposure: | L:R:G:B 54:30:29:27 x 600 s |
| Location: | Gemsbock Observatory, Rooisand Desert Ranch, Namibia |
| Processing: | PixInsight, Photoshop |
| Diameter: | 50 light years |
| Distance: | 5,700 light years |
