The Rho Ophiuchi Nebular Complex
in Ophiuchus
is an enormous conglomeration of cosmic dust and gasses, located about 500 light years away in the southern Milky Way.
Because its colors are so varied and stunning, it is one of the most photographed regions of the night sky.
At the core of the large and bright orange cloud at lower left, is the red supergiant star, Antares (enemy of Ares [Mars]).
Also designated Alpha Scorpii, Antares forms the focal point of the complex.
At the center of the large, blue reflection nebula at the top of the field, is the triple star system, Rho Ophiuchi.
The beautiful, pink emission nebulosity at lower-right is excited to glow by the bright, blue star, Sigma Scorpius.
The globular cluster, M4, consisting of over 100,000 individual stars, lies below and slightly to the left of Sigma Scorpius at 4 o'clock.
At top-left, are two prominent dark, dust lanes, LDN 1688 on top from Lynds' Catalog of Dark Nebulae. Immediately below it is, LDN 1689.
Many thanks to Telescope Live for acquiring the data.
LARGE
is an enormous conglomeration of cosmic dust and gasses, located about 500 light years away in the southern Milky Way.
Because its colors are so varied and stunning, it is one of the most photographed regions of the night sky.
At the core of the large and bright orange cloud at lower left, is the red supergiant star, Antares (enemy of Ares [Mars]).
Also designated Alpha Scorpii, Antares forms the focal point of the complex.
At the center of the large, blue reflection nebula at the top of the field, is the triple star system, Rho Ophiuchi.
The beautiful, pink emission nebulosity at lower-right is excited to glow by the bright, blue star, Sigma Scorpius.
The globular cluster, M4, consisting of over 100,000 individual stars, lies below and slightly to the left of Sigma Scorpius at 4 o'clock.
At top-left, are two prominent dark, dust lanes, LDN 1688 on top from Lynds' Catalog of Dark Nebulae. Immediately below it is, LDN 1689.
Many thanks to Telescope Live for acquiring the data.
LARGE