Highlights from VST image of Cat’s Paw and Lobster Nebulae

This montage shows a few of the highlights from a spectacular image from the VLT Survey Telescope showing the Cat’s Paw Nebula (NGC 6334) and the Lobster Nebula (NGC 6357). This part of the sky contains active regions of star formation where hot young stars make their surrounding clouds of hydrogen glow with a characteristic red colour. There are also clouds of dark dust in this rich celestial landscape.