the dark river to antares

(Most) of these photographs feature one of the most beautiful nebulas, the Rho Ophiuchi, which I also posted here awhile back.

The first photograph features the dark clouds of the Pipe Nebula which spread toward the center of the Milky Way Galaxy and lie East of Antares.

The second photograph connects "the Pipe Nebula to the bright star Antares" by "a flowing dark cloud nicknamed the Dark River." Antares is the bright star in the yellow region of the Rho Ophiuchi Nebula.

The third photograph is an exceptional view of the central Milk Way, stretching from the Lagoon and Trifid Nebulas in the constellation Sagittarius, to Antares and Rho Ophiuchi of the constellation Scorpio.

Sigh. I love Astronomy...

Source: Astronomy Picture of the Day 1. 2. and 3.