Dark Horse (astronomy)

This article is about the large dark nebula in Ophiuchus. For Barnard 33 (the dark nebula in the constellation Orion), see Horsehead Nebula.
Dark Horse Nebula
Dark nebula
Dark Horse Nebula
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Right ascension17h 21m
Declination−21° 07′
Apparent dimensions (V)10° × 10°
ConstellationOphiuchus
DesignationsGreat Dark Horse
See also: Lists of nebulae

The Dark Horse Nebula or Great Dark Horse (sometimes called the Prancing Horse) is a large dark nebula that, from Earth's perspective, obscures part of the upper central bulge of the Milky Way. The Dark Horse lies in the equatorial constellation Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer), near its borders with the more famous constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius. It is a large, visible feature of the Milky Way's Great Rift, uniting several individually catalogued dark nebulae, including the Pipe Nebula. It is visible from Earth only on clear moonless nights without light pollution and with low humidity.[1]

  1. ^ "Saturn riding the Dark Horse". EarthSky. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 2018-06-23.