gjdonatiello
Antares and Rho Ophiuchi clouds complex)
Antares and Rho Ophiuchi clouds complex
Credit: Giuseppe Donatiello
(Antares) RA 16 29 24.460 DEC -26 25 55.21
The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is a dark nebula of gas and dust that is located 1° south of the star ρ Ophiuchi. At an estimated distance of 131 ± 3 parsecs, this cloud is one of the closest star-forming regions to the Solar System. This cloud covers an angular area of 4.5° × 6.5° in the Sky.
The brightest star in this image is Antares (Alpha Scorpii or α Sco), the fifteenth brightest star in the sky and the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius.
Well visible also Messier 4 (NGC 6121), a globular cluster, approximately at 7,200 light years.
Antares and Rho Ophiuchi clouds complex)
Antares and Rho Ophiuchi clouds complex
Credit: Giuseppe Donatiello
(Antares) RA 16 29 24.460 DEC -26 25 55.21
The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is a dark nebula of gas and dust that is located 1° south of the star ρ Ophiuchi. At an estimated distance of 131 ± 3 parsecs, this cloud is one of the closest star-forming regions to the Solar System. This cloud covers an angular area of 4.5° × 6.5° in the Sky.
The brightest star in this image is Antares (Alpha Scorpii or α Sco), the fifteenth brightest star in the sky and the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius.
Well visible also Messier 4 (NGC 6121), a globular cluster, approximately at 7,200 light years.