description Snake Nebula (Barnard 72) Overview
The Snake Nebula, catalogued as Barnard 72, is a dark nebula in the constellation Ophiuchus that appears as a distinctive S-shaped lane of opaque interstellar dust, silhouetted against the dense background star field of the Milky Way. It was catalogued by astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard in his photographic survey of dark nebulae published in the early 20th century. The Snake Nebula is part of a larger complex of dark molecular clouds in the Rho Ophiuchi region, one of the nearest star-forming areas to Earth, and is a recognized target for astrophotography.
help Snake Nebula (Barnard 72) FAQ
What is Barnard 72?
Barnard 72 is a dark nebula in the constellation Ophiuchus. It appears as an S-shaped band of opaque dust against the dense Milky Way star field.
Why does the Snake Nebula look dark?
Its dust clouds block visible light from stars behind them. The nebula is therefore seen in silhouette rather than through its own bright emission.
Who catalogued the Snake Nebula?
The object was catalogued by astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard. Its designation, Barnard 72, comes from Barnard's catalogue of dark nebulae.
Which constellation contains the Snake Nebula?
Barnard 72 lies in Ophiuchus, near the crowded central regions of the Milky Way. That location provides the dense background star field that makes its S-shaped dust lane visible.
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