Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Ophiuchus (Oph)  ·  Contains:  22 Sco  ·  5 Oph  ·  IC 4603  ·  IC 4604  ·  IC 4605  ·  The star i Sco  ·  The star ρ Oph  ·  rho Oph Nebula
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IC 4604 (Rho Ophiuchi Nebula), David Burrell
IC 4604 (Rho Ophiuchi Nebula)
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IC 4604 (Rho Ophiuchi Nebula)

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
IC 4604 (Rho Ophiuchi Nebula), David Burrell
IC 4604 (Rho Ophiuchi Nebula)
Powered byPixInsight

IC 4604 (Rho Ophiuchi Nebula)

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Description

IC 4604 is approximately 540 light-years away. It is one of the nearest star-forming regions to the Sun. This large, diffuse nebula lies well above the plane of the galaxy. About 1.5 million years ago, a massive star in Upper Scorpius exploded as a supernova, sending a powerful shockwave through the Ophiuchus cloud about 1 million years ago, triggering star formation that still continues today (Reference: Sky Safari). The light we are now observing began its journey about the same time as the famous Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was born.

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IC 4604 (Rho Ophiuchi Nebula), David Burrell