Star cluster NGC 6231. True-colour optical image of the open star cluster NGC 6231 (upper centre) in the constellation Scorpius. This is a dense cluster of young stars in a region known as the Table of Scorpius". Open star clusters are believed to consist of stars which all formed at around the same time, and from the same large cloud of gas and dust. Most are fairly young, as it is thought that new clusters disperse relatively quickly after their creation. The two bright stars at lower centre are Zeta 1 (right)and Zeta 2 (left) Scorpii. This image was produced by digitally combining photographs taken by the UK Schmidt Telescope in blue and red light."