![A photograph of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex. The image is dominated by swirling nebulae in various colors — yellows, blues, and hints of red and pink. At lower left lies the star Antares, enveloped by a golden yellow cloud. In the upper right is Rho Ophiuchi, surrounded by a blue reflection nebula. The background is filled with countless stars of varying brightness. Dark dust lanes create striking contrasts throughout the image, particularly in the center. The overall effect is a rich, colorful cosmic tapestry of gas, dust, and stars.](https://www.astronomy.com/uploads/2024/07/Rho-Ophiuchi-1200x775.jpg)
The most colorful region of the entire sky, without a doubt, is the area surrounding Rho Ophiuchi. And while you won’t be able to see these colors with the human eye — even with a telescope — photographs reveal spectacular splashes of blue, red, yellow, and orange. Some of these colors come from emission of hydrogen gas, but other colors come from the stars themselves, lighting up their surroundings like a cosmic discotheque.
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