IC4628

IC 4628, known as the Prawn Nebula, is a vast emission nebula located in the constellation Scorpius. Spanning 90' × 60' in the sky, it is particularly visible from the southern hemisphere. This star-forming region is approximately 5,200 light-years from Earth. Its elongated and irregular shape stands out in an environment rich with young stars and open clusters along the edge of the Milky Way. Despite its impressive size, the nebula appears faint in magnitude. The open cluster NGC 6231, a young grouping of stars, is associated with this stellar complex. IC 4628 offers a fascinating spectacle for astronomers, revealing the dynamic processes of star formation in our galaxy.