With the Milky Way season sneaking it’s way back in the Northern Hemisphere, I couldn’t help but leave the galaxies which are dominating the night skies, and take the opportunity to capture this beautiful cloud complex; quite early in the morning. Let me reintroduce you to the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex (2023 rendition), which is comprised of interstellar clouds and multiple nebulas. It is located some 460 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Ophiuchus, and it is one of the closest star-forming regions. The vibrant colors in the nebulas are a result of reflections from the bright stars in the region, including Antares, the star contributing to the yellowish nebula. The dark nebula towards the bottom runs like a river to the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way galactic core (see below). This is no doubt one of my favorite regions in the night sky. Stay tuned for more beauties from the Milky Way core. In the meantime, remember to look up and experience an amazing Universe!
Dark Nebula in Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex connects to the Milky Way Galactic Core.
Featured photo details:
Gear: AA Hypercam 26c, Canon 100mm (f/2.8), iOptron Sky Guider Pro
Exif: 53 lights @ 120 secs, Gain 200, Offset 3, TEC @ 10 degrees, 20 darks, no flats, no dark flats.
SharpCap, PHD2, AstroPixel Processor, Pixinsight, Photoshop
Very Nice! Boy I can really get a good look when I remember to go to my desktop and use the big screen! Love the color and the detail–can’t believe the bazillion stars in the background. When you start studying Astronomy, you really start to realize how big the Universe is and how small and insignificant we are. I think everyone should be required to look thru a telescope at least once in their lives!
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I fully agree. At least once 😊. This section is right above the milky core and therefore it’s the area of highest concentration of stars. We on earth are but a spec in the grand scheme of the Universe.