One ring to fool them all and in their backside bite them.
It's not an artefact. It's an actual thingy. I wonder how it came into being, looking so distinct as a ring, yet so near a huge force. Or maybe it's not as near as it looks and maybe it's an object not created by the same event or circumstance as NGC371.
As to what element it might be I don't know. In more common colour processing it looks turquoise. Iron?
Here's one I couldn't find the original from, so no artist credits showing the same distinct ring very well
http://s1.1zoom.me/big0/850/Stars_NG...346_500951.jpg
And this one shows it's turquoise shade but the ring form is lost.
https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2873...b0f8e99d_b.jpg
Intriguing. Quite overwhelming how looking at [your] images it makes me NEED to know science facts re cause, effect and elements. That I have no knowledge makes me want to scream like a toddler in frustration. Anyone else get that emotion?