Rho Ophiuchus Star Clouds.

On the border between Scorpio and Ophiuchus, is a wonderfully colourful and exotic part of our galaxy; the Rho Ophiuchus star clouds. This region is rich in heavy elements produced inside massive stars similar to the red giant, Antares. The colours come from a mixture of reflection and emission nebula. Usually Emission nebulae are red, due to hydrogen, but here there are such high levels of heavy elements that the clouds glow like a celestial rainbow. Antares is further adding to the mix by producing massive amounts of carbon. The very bright 'star' at bottom right is the Planet Jupiter. Photo details: Canon 350D, 5 minute exposure with a Canon EF 85mm lens, ISO 800 @ f-2.8.

 Image taken June 18th 2007