13032025-IC 404

🌌 IC 4604 – The Blue Nebula of Rho Ophiuchi 🔥✨

 

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Here is IC 4604, one of the most stunning reflection nebulae in the sky, located at the heart of the Rho Ophiuchi region, about 460 light-years away in the constellation Ophiuchus. Its intense blue color is caused by nearby hot stars, whose light is scattered by fine interstellar dust.

 

📍 Constellation: Ophiuchus ♒

🌍 Distance: ~460 light-years

💫 Type: Reflection Nebula

🔭 Apparent Magnitude: ~4.6

📏 Apparent Size: ~3° × 2°

️ Coordinates (J2000): RA 16h 25m 35s | Dec -23° 26′ 49″

 

✨ Fun Facts:

 

The Rho Ophiuchi region is a massive stellar nursery, full of young stars in formation. 🌟🌀

The intense blue color is due to Rayleigh scattering, the same phenomenon that makes our daytime sky blue! 🌍💙

This nebula is one of the closest star-forming regions to Earth, making it a natural laboratory for studying young stars. 🔬💫

A breathtaking corner of the cosmos, where dust and gas mix to create wonders. Who else loves reflection nebulae? ✨💙

 

Lights: 131x300" (LRGB)

Telescope: Takahashi FSQ-106ED

Camera: QHY 600M

Filters: LRGB Astrodon

Processed: Pixinsight

Date: 11/07/2023

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