Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex
| Dark nebula | |
|---|---|
Infrared James Webb Space Telescope image (east is down), contained within the IC 4603 region | |
| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 16h 28m 06s |
| Declination | –24° 32.5′ |
| Distance | 460 ly (140 pc) ly |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 4.5° × 6.5° |
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
| Designations | Ophiuchus molecular cloud, Integral 691, XSS J16271-2423 |
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The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is a complex of interstellar clouds with different nebulae, particularly a dark nebula which is centered 1° south of the star ρ Ophiuchi, which it among others extends to, of the constellation Ophiuchus. At an estimated distance of about 140 parsecs, or 460 light years, it is one of the closest star-forming regions to the Solar System.