IC4603

This is not the prettiest of astronomical objects, but I like it for the sheer amount of action that it implies - interstellar dust and hydrogen gas are blowing every which way, and star formation is occurring at quite a clip due to an ancient supernova having taken place nearby. IC 4603 - the central nebulosity in this image - can be found near Antares, but just inside the borders of the constellation Ophiuchus. The dust is illuminated by the light of SAO 184376, a bright (Mag. 7.6), pre-main sequence, B-type star, which gives us that distinctive blue of a reflection nebula.

Photo stuff:
Date: 06 & 07 July 2019
R.A.: 16h 25m 22s
Dec. -24° 18' 41"
Canon 60Da on Meade RCX400 f/8 16" with 0.70 focal reducer
55 subs @ 300s ea.; ISO 1600