Description:
NGC 6188 is a bright emission nebula about 4,000 light-years away in the constellation Ara. Shaped by intense radiation and stellar winds from nearby massive stars, it’s a site of active star formation. Its jagged, dark shapes have earned it the nickname "Fighting Dragons of Ara."
NGC 6164, the Dragon’s Egg nebula, is a striking bipolar emission nebula. The nebula was formed from stellar outbursts and powerful stellar winds ejected by HD 148937 during its unstable life stages.
These outflows created the symmetrical lobes of ionized gas seen today.
Despite its nickname, it doesn’t contain a dragon—rather, it's named for its distinctive shape that evokes a glowing egg cradled in space.