Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex

Constellation: Ophiuchus/Scorpius

Distance: 460 Light Years

The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is a magnificently colorful mix of gas and dust creating different nebulae, including reflection nebulae (blue), emission nebulae (red), and dark nebulae obscuring the stars behind them.  It is one of the closest star-forming regions to our Solar System.  Located at the border between the southwest portion of the constellation Ophiuchus and adjacent Scorpius, the complex is named for the triple star system Rho Ophiuchi, seen in the upper right of this image surrounded by the blue reflection nebula IC4604.  The brightest star, at the lower part of the image, is Antares (α Scorpii), surrounded by yellowish nebula IC4606, and above that is the small blue reflection nebula IC4605 surrounding the star 22 Scorpii.  The two large dark nebulae that separate IC4604 from IC4605 and extend to the left, sometimes called Dark River clouds or Rho Ophiuchi Streamers, are designated Barnard 44 and 45.  Other interesting objects in this image are the globular cluster M4 to the right of Antares, and a much smaller and fainter globular cluster NGC 6144, located between and slightly above Antares and M4.  Some of these objects are noted on the image below.