Rho Ophuichi Cloud Complex

Rho Ophiuchi is a complex of interstellar clouds with different types of nebulae between the Ophiuchus and Scorpius constellations. At only 460 light years away, it is one of the closest star-forming regions to the Solar System. There is enough dust and gas material to create the equivalent of 3,000 suns.

Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius, has a yellow diffuse nebula around it. To the naked-eye, these clouds appear redder, which is how the star got its name as the rival to Mars, “Anti-Ares”. There are several globular clusters (NGC6144 & M4) to the right of Antares. The star, Al Niyat, is the bright bluish star in the lower part of the image with red gas wrapping around it. The blue reflection nebula IC4605, is above it toward the upper-middle of the image below. The actual Rho Ophiuchi star, where the cloud complex gets its name, is the blue double star reflection nebula on the far right of the image.