IC 4604 - IC 4603

IC 4604 and IC 4603 are bright blue reflection nebulae located in constellation Ophiuchus as a part of the larger Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex. They are situated close to the celestial equator and, as such, this region is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year.  IC 4604 is surrounding the bright triple star Rho Ophiuchi and IC 4603 is centered around the star 8 magnitude star SAO 184376.

The yellowish glow in the right bottom corner is caused by the bright yellow star Antares as it illuminates the dark dense dust clouds. At a distance of about 540 light-years, this is one of the nearest star-forming regions to us.