Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Ophiuchus (Oph)
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Snake Nebula and Consorts (B72, B68,B69,B70,B71,B74 and B 389), Los_Calvos
Snake Nebula and Consorts (B72, B68,B69,B70,B71,B74 and B 389)
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Snake Nebula and Consorts (B72, B68,B69,B70,B71,B74 and B 389)

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Snake Nebula and Consorts (B72, B68,B69,B70,B71,B74 and B 389), Los_Calvos
Snake Nebula and Consorts (B72, B68,B69,B70,B71,B74 and B 389)
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Snake Nebula and Consorts (B72, B68,B69,B70,B71,B74 and B 389)

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Description

Located in the Constellation of Ophiuchus, a set of dark nebulae masks the stars. They are referenced in Barnard's catalogue, in this image the 2 best known are B72 which has the shape of the snake and Barnard 68 below right.

(to the left of the snake in its extension and quite diffuse one has B389, and from right to left under the snake we find B68, B69,B71, B70 and bottom left above the star B74.)

These dark nebulae are made up of dust and high-concentration molecular gas that absorb virtually all the visible light emitted by the stars in the background. Their particularly dark contours contribute to making the interior of molecular clouds one of the coldest and most isolated places in the Universe. The fact that no star is visible in the center indicates that Barnard 68 is relatively close, with measurements placing it about 500 light-years from Earth for a diameter of half a light-year, Barnard 72 would be at it located at about 650 AL. It is not clear how these molecular clouds form, but it is thought that these clouds are probably probably a place where new stars form. And in fact, recent studies have shown that Barnard 68 is probably contracting to give birth to a new solar system. It is possible to see directly through this type of cloud by observing them in infrared light.

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Snake Nebula and Consorts (B72, B68,B69,B70,B71,B74 and B 389), Los_Calvos