The constellation Ophiuchus, showing the Rho Ophiuchi star formation region

This chart shows the location of the Rho Ophiuchi star formation region in the constellation of Ophiuchus (The Serpent Bearer). The star Rho Ophiuchi, which gives the region its name, is marked with the Greek letter rho (ρ). Astronomers using the APEX telescope to observe this region discovered hydrogen peroxide molecules in interstellar space for the first time, in the area marked with the red circle. Although the star Rho Ophiuchi is visible with the unaided eye, the clouds of gas and dust show up best in photographs.