The Dark Horse and Rider are a very large complex of dark nebulae in Ophiuchus.

The Pipe Nebula, Lynds Dark Nebula 1773, comprises the hind quarter and back leg of the Dark Horse. Barnard 63 is the front leg, Barnard 270 is the Horse's head, and Barnard 276 is the Rider's head.

Like animal shapes seen in Earthly clouds, it takes some imagination to see the Dark Horse and Rider in these interstellar dust clouds.

Open cluster Messier 23 is at top right in the image, and open cluster Messier 6 is at far left center.

North is to the right in the above image.

The Great Dark Horse and Rider Catalogs: LDN 1773, B63, B270, B276 Common Name: Dark Horse and Rider Object Type: Dark Nebulae Size: 10° x 10° Constellation: Ophiuchus Image Field Centered At: RA: 17h 32m 51s Dec: -22° 49' 14"