Rho Ophiuchi

The Story

The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is one of the closest star-forming regions to the Solar system. Being located just 460 light-years away, it appears as a large area of colorful nebulosity in the constellations of Ophiuchus and Scorpius.

The image is a riot of colors: the yellow reflection nebula surrounding the red giant Antares, the red emission nebula (Sigma Scorpii), and the blue reflection nebula IC 4604 surrounding the star Rho Ophiuchi itself. These vibrant hues are contrasted by dense dark dust lanes that block the background starlight.

The dark veins crossing the field are streamers of gas and atomic dust extending from the cloud complex, hinting at the raw material from which new stars are born.

Technical Data

• Camera: Nikon D5300
• Mount: Omegon Minitrack LX3
• Integration: 2h
• Software: TStar