Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Ophiuchus (Oph)  ·  Contains:  19 Sco  ·  20 Sco)  ·  21 Sco)  ·  22 Sco  ·  5 Oph  ·  9 Oph  ·  Al Niyat (σ Sco  ·  Alniyat I  ·  Cor Scorpii  ·  IC 4603  ·  IC 4604  ·  IC 4605  ·  Kalb al Akrab (α Sco  ·  M 4  ·  NGC 6121  ·  The star 25 Sco  ·  The star Alniyat  ·  The star Antares  ·  The star i Sco  ·  The star ο Sco  ·  The star ρ Oph  ·  The star ω Oph  ·  Vespertilio  ·  rho Oph Nebula
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Rho Ophiuci, Brett Nickeson
Rho Ophiuci
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Rho Ophiuci

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Rho Ophiuci, Brett Nickeson
Rho Ophiuci
Powered byPixInsight

Rho Ophiuci

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Description

The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is a complex of interstellar clouds with different nebulae, particularly dark nebulae, in the constellation Ophiuchus. At an estimated distance of about 460 light years, it is one of the closest star-forming regions to the Solar System.

Rho, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful and colorful areas in the summer sky.  The dark nebulae give it a wonderful 3D effect against the background stars and the mix of complementary colors give it a colorful balance.  

This was taken in a dark sky area of eastern Utah with a 200mm camera lens.  If the wildfire smoke would ever go away, I'd like another crack at this in a wider field showing the Blue Horsehead as well.

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Rho Ophiuci, Brett Nickeson