Posted on 07/27/2014 6:48:52 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: The clouds surrounding the star system Rho Ophiuchi compose one of the closest star forming regions. Rho Ophiuchi itself is a binary star system visible in the light-colored region on the image right. The star system, located only 400 light years away, is distinguished by its colorful surroundings, which include a red emission nebula and numerous light and dark brown dust lanes. Near the upper right of the Rho Ophiuchi molecular cloud system is the yellow star Antares, while a distant but coincidently-superposed globular cluster of stars, M4, is visible between Antares and the red emission nebula. Near the image bottom lies IC 4592, the Blue Horsehead nebula. The blue glow that surrounds the Blue Horsehead's eye -- and other stars around the image -- is a reflection nebula composed of fine dust. On the above image left is a geometrically angled reflection nebula cataloged as Sharpless 1. Here, the bright star near the dust vortex creates the light of surrounding reflection nebula. Although most of these features are visible through a small telescope pointed toward the constellations of Ophiuchus, Scorpius, and Sagittarius, the only way to see the intricate details of the dust swirls, as featured above, is to use a long exposure camera.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit & Copyright: Rogelio Bernal Andreo]
Nice.
I think I’ll take my next vacation there.
HEY! That picture is upside down!
I was looking at this part of the sky last night.
M4 wasn’t very impressive, but, it was still kind of murky when I looked. As for the rest of the area, it all looks rather smokey and washed out, even on ultra clear nights.
Otherwise, it was a good night once the murk melted away.
Pretty colors! It would be really neato to have that image on a large
piece of cloth, so as to make a dress out of it. It’s really beautiful.
Satin would be nice... ;-)
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