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Dark Horse Nebula

Great Dark Horse, Prancing Horse
Incorporates Barnard 77 and Barnard 78, the Pipe Nebula

Dark nebula in Ophiuchus

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Proper Names	Dark Horse Nebula, Great Dark Horse, Prancing Horse
Messier Number	None
NGC/IC Number	None
Other designations	Incorpoprates the dark nebulae Barnard 77 and Barnard 78, the Pipe Nebula
Constellation	Ophiuchus
Right Ascension	17h 28m 0s (approximate centre)
Declination	-23° 20' 0" (approximate centre)
Distance	650 light years 199 parsecs (approximate)
Magnitude	Not applicable
Dimensions	Apparent: 10° x 10° Actual: c. 115 x 115 light years
Optimum Visibility	June / July

The Dark Horse Nebula is formed from a series of narrow strands of dark material that trace out the shape of a prancing horse against the brighter backdrop of the Milky Way as it passes through Ophiuchus. The horse shape is oriented with its legs towards the west (right) of this image, and its head towards the north (top). The slightly denser, darker region that forms the horse's hindquarters and rear leg is also described as a separate dark nebula, designated Barnard 78 and sometimes called the Pipe Nebula. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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