Pipe Nebula

Dark nebula



caption=The Pipe Nebula
name = Pipe Nebula
type = Dark
epoch = J2000.0
ra = 17^h 27^m
dec = −26° 56′
dist_ly = 600 to 700
dist_pc = 180 to 220
appmag_v = –
size_v = Pipe Stem 300′ x 60′
Pipe Bowl 200′ x 140′
constellation = Ophiuchus
radius_ly = –
absmag_v = –
notes = –
names = Barnard 59, 65–67, & 78;
LDN 1773; LDN 42

The Pipe Nebula (also known as Barnard 59, 65–67, and 78) is a dark nebula in the Ophiuchus constellation. It is a large but readily apparent pipe shaped dust lane that obscures the Milky Way star clouds behind it. Clearly visible to the naked eye in the Southern United States under clear dark skies, but it is best viewed with 7x binoculars.

The nebula has two main parts: the Pipe Stem with an opacity of 6 which is composed of Barnard 59, 65, 66, and 67 (also known as LDN 1773) 300′ x 60′ RA: 17^h 21^m Dec: −27° 23′; and the Bowl of the Pipe with an opacity of 5 which is composed of Barnard 78 (also known as LDN 42) 200′ x 140′ RA: 17^h 33^m Dec: −26° 30′.

The Pipe Nebula forms the hind quarters of the even larger Dark Horse Nebula.