IC 4617

IC 4617 is a reflection nebula located in the constellation Ophiuchus. It is associated with the dark cloud Lynds 1709 and is illuminated by a bright star embedded within it, which is responsible for the nebula's blueish glow. Reflection nebulae like IC 4617 do not emit their own light; instead, they reflect the light of nearby stars. The dust particles within the nebula preferentially scatter blue light, giving them their characteristic color.

IC 4617 is part of a larger complex of dark clouds and nebulae in the Ophiuchus region, a star-forming area rich in interstellar dust and gas. The nebula's proximity to dark clouds suggests that it is relatively young and that star formation is still ongoing in the region. Its study contributes to our understanding of the processes involved in star formation and the interaction between stars and the interstellar medium. The object's celestial coordinates allow astronomers to pinpoint its location in the sky and conduct further observations.