Abstract

We have investigated the stellar and interstellar content of the distant star formation region IRAS 17591-2228 (WISE H II region GAL 007.47+0.06). It is associated with a water maser, whose parallax distance is d = 20.4(-2.2)(+2.8) kpc, supported by independent measurements of proper motion and radial velocity. It is projected in the same direction as an extremely red (J-K-S similar to 6 mag) group of stars, and a shell of mid-infrared emission. We qualify the group of stars as a cluster candidate, VVV CL177. Its radius spans between 0.'45 and 1' and contains at least two young stellar objects with an extreme extinction near A(V) similar to 40 mag. Yet more analysis will be required to determine if it is a real single cluster associated with the water maser. The (CO)-C-13 emissions at the radial velocity of the maser corresponds to the mid-infrared emission.