The Prancing Horse in Ophiuchus

[Nightfly]

The famous Prancing Horse, or The Galactic Dark Horse, however you prefer it, includes the dark nebulae made famous by Edward Emerson Barnard in his wide-field survey of the sky over 100 years ago.

This is from a 6x7 negative produced by a 200mm lens at f/4 and 40 minute exposure on black and white film. Classic astrophotography in the digital age.

High clouds softened the brightest stars. I've also left a few flaws commonly found on film just for posterity's sake!

Enjoy!

Jim

The Prancing Horse by Nightfly Photography, on Flickr

[jsigone]

nice FOV!!

[RobH]

Very rich indeed!

I can just about make out the horse I think

Rob

[Wildwood]

Very nice

[Telrad]

Fantastic image Jim! Beautiful result with classic astrophotography.. Thanks for posting

[johnh]

That is a glorious MW shot.

John.

[Deneb]

thats very impressive, the prancing horse can be visibily seen...

Nadeem.

[Nightfly]

Thank you for the encouraging words. I keep imaging this area and see something different each time. There is just so much here.

I do mostly color, but b&w has a classic appeal to it.

Thanks again.

Jim

[ollypenrice]

Once again a beautiful image, a classic. What a format!

Olly

[Coco]

Stunning... simply inspiring.

[themos]

Thanks for that, I always look for the horse in Milky Way images, it helps me orient myself.

[Beyond_Vision]

A great image Jim but it's given me a cricked neck looking for the horse

Regards

Kevin

[Nightfly]

Thanks guys. This is a spectacular region of dark nebulae in a very rich star field. As pattern seeking creatures we can make all kinds of shapes out of the chaos. For those not seeing the horse. It's standing on its hind quarter with the head up high. See it? See it prancing? I've highlighted it below.

[Adz]

I don't see any of the flaws you mention, just outstanding beauty. Fantastic picture that I am sure a lot of work went into making. Thanks for keeping up with film too, I saw the house straight away

[Rob_Jn]

Wonderful image of a beautiful field. I struggled to see the horse, I didn't know there was a horse in there the hind legs are also known as the pipe nebula.

Rob.

[JohnnyD333]

What is this "film" you speak of:) Fantastic, beautiful photo by the way.

[twotter]

First time I've seen this and it's totally stunning - I love it

[Demonperformer]

Excellent pic. NOW I can see the horse. Does anyone else think that the region around its back leg looks like a Diplodocus (or other similar species)?

[laser_jock99]

Nice photo yet again- thinking of re-investing in a medium format camera now!

[ashworthacca]

Stunning image, can make out the horse prancing nicely.

[Fay]

I love it, such a lot going on, lots of different textures

Fay