The Coalsack Nebula is the most prominent dark nebula in the skies, being easily visible to the naked eye as a dark patch silhouetted against the southern Milky Way. It is located at a distance of approximately 600 light-years away from Earth, in the constellation Crux.

Distance to Earth: 600 light years

Coordinates: RA 12h 50m 0s | Dec -62° 30′ 0″

Constellation: Crux

Apparent dimensions (V): 7° × 5°

Designations: C99

Did you know: In Brian J. Clarke's novella The Expediter, a world of mysterious towers – and the aliens studying them – are found "behind the Coalsack".