Red Spider Nebula (NGC 6537) – Hubble Space Telescope Image

NGC 6537, the Red Spider Nebula, spreads across this Hubble Space Telescope image in branching orange and red filaments, gathered around an intensely luminous pink-white centre. It is a planetary nebula in the constellation Sagittarius, within the Milky Way, and lies approximately 6,000 light years from Earth. Against the surrounding blackness, its asymmetric extensions give the object an unusually restless, expansive presence.

The image was released on 24 July 2001 and presents a distant planetary nebula with remarkable clarity of structure. Although the supplied metadata does not assign physical dimensions to the field shown, the nebula’s 6,000-light-year distance provides the essential scale of the observation: the light recorded here began its journey towards Earth millennia before the image was assembled and released.

A closer look

The brightest region sits near the centre, where a compact pinkish glow is enclosed by tangled threads of orange. Its edges are irregular rather than softly rounded; narrow ridges and jagged strands overlap before thinning into smoky red-brown material. This concentration of light anchors the image while the nebula’s fainter extremities pull the eye outwards.

At the upper left, a particularly substantial orange filament reaches diagonally into the dark field. Below it, finer strands split and fade, some appearing almost etched against the black. Along the lower left, looser cascades emerge from the central region, while faint pink layers can be picked out at the margins of the brighter material.

The lower-right area offers a striking counterweight: a broad dark opening bordered by subdued orange wisps. Scattered points of white light punctuate the background, but much of the frame remains deeply shadowed. On a large presentation, the quieter transitions become especially apparent—orange passing into deep red, sharp threads dissolving into haze, and isolated traces of light extending farther than they first appear.

How this image was made

This view was produced from observations by the Hubble Space Telescope. No instrument, exposure time, filters or colour-mapping details are specified in the supplied official metadata, so the vivid palette is presented here as it appears in the released image without further interpretation.

Image details and provenance

• Subject: NGC 6537, Red Spider Nebula
• Object type: Milky Way planetary nebula
• Constellation: Sagittarius
• Distance from Earth: 6,000 light years
• Telescope or observatory: Hubble Space Telescope
• Original release date: 24 July 2001, 15:00
• Image credit: ESA & Garrelt Mellema (Leiden University, the Netherlands)

Choosing the right size and finish

Fine art can feel intimate at smaller sizes and more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to judge the scale of the piece in your space.

For exact dimensions, specialist framing or a larger project, ask our workshop for advice.

The model in the listing images is holding the 36x20in (90x50cm) version of this art print.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. See examples of personalised artwork.

Choose Original for colour that remains faithful to the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer antique character. See examples of our Aged artwork.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or canvas using the finish options above.

Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, reduced reflections and safer delivery. They arrive professionally framed and ready to hang.

Selected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and specialist framing are also available; contact our workshop if the exact option you need is not listed.