John Herschel discovered NGC 6357 = h3682 on 8 Jun 1837 and recorded "F; L; E; vglbM; milky nebulosity; 2' l; 1 1/2' br; close to and almost involves a double star." His position is on the double star mentioned in my observation.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/30/92): at 82x using an OIII filter, this emission nebula is a bright, distinctive object, elongated 3:1 E-W, 4.0'x1.5'. A close mag 11/12 double star is at the south edge. The whole field appears weakly nebulous and the nebulosity is just very faintly visible without a filter at 220x. Excellent contrast gain with the OIII filter! A group of a dozen faint stars is just south (= Pismis 24) including a double star. This nebula is associated with the Wolf-Rayet star HD 157504 = WR 93, which is located east of the bright section.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb