This is dark region of gas and dust is known as NGC 6231. In the constellation of Scorpius, it is sometimes called the "Dark Tower" because of its shape and ominous presence. The structure itself, which spans almost 40 light years and is some 5,000 light years away, was shaped by a barrage from ultraviolet radiation from the nearby OB association (a small, young group of hot, massive stars) of stars. This is the same radiation that causes the surrounding reddish glow through interactions with hydrogen gas. The large amount of stars in the background is due to the fact that Scorpius is in a direction close to that of the center of the galaxy, where the density of stars is much higher.
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