Wallpaper author:
Michelle Ashford
02 Nov 2025
IC 4604
IC 4604 is a reflection nebula in the constellation Ophiuchus. It is part of the large, active Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, one of the nearest star-forming regions to Earth, located approximately 407 to 540 light-years away. The nebula appears blue because its gas and dust are reflecting the light from the bright, hot stars within it.
A good dataset, improved by utilising Affinity 'Dust and Scratches' to reduce the star backgound.
Processed using Pixinsight, Blur Exterminator, Affinity, Star Exterminator, Topaz De-Noise
Dataset from which the image was processed
IC 4604
8 credit
- Type of target............................................................................................................................Reflection Nebula
- Camera............................................................................................................................QHY 600M
- Target coordinates............................................................................................................................RA 246.067 Dec -23.6439
- Hemisphere............................................................................................................................Southern
- Telescope location............................................................................................................................Australia
- Transient event............................................................................................................................No
- Observed on............................................................................................................................15 Jun 2023 - 19 Jul 2023
Filter | Avg Exp (s) | Total Exposure | Subframes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luminance | 344 | 3h15m | 34 |
| Red | 318 | 3h | 34 |
| Green | 326 | 3h5m | 34 |
| Blue | 212 | 2h | 34 |