Higher-resolution versions:  1680 x 1050  3869 x 2672

This image is notable for the coloful nebulosity around Rho Ophiuchi and Antares on the right, and the dark nebulae on the left, which resemble the shape of a horse facing upward. The lowermost portion of the horse is also called the Pipe Nebula.

Equipment: Nikon 85mm f/2 lens/STL-11000M/Astrodon LRGB filters/Losmandy G-11/Gemini
F-ratio: f/4
Exposures: LRGB: L 8 x 4 minutes: R 8 x 4 minutes: G 8 x 4 minutes: B 8 x 4 minutes: RGB binned 2x2
Date: June 18, 2009
Location: Mount Laguna, California, USA
Technical Notes:  The RGB image was created in Registar 1.0. The luminance image was duplicated and Russell Croman's GradientXTerminator applied to it with an opacity of 33%. The RGB image was duplicated and combined with the original using Soft Light to enhance color.