Marzena Rogozińska: The Anteater Nebula (NGC 6726)

The Anteater Nebula: Where Stars Are Born

420 light-years from Earth lies one of the cosmos' greatest masterpieces—a stellar nursery where new stars ignite against a canvas of interstellar dust and starlight.

Award-Winning Anteater Nebula Print by Marzena Rogozińska

Some art is created in a studio. This piece was born in the heart of the Namibian savanna, under the darkest skies on Earth. You're looking at an award-winning portrait of the Anteater Nebula, a celestial creature crafted from starlight and shadow.

This isn't just a photograph; it's the result of a dedicated quest to capture one of the sky's most intricate stellar nurseries, brought to you by the acclaimed astrophotographer Marzena Rogozińska.

Capturing the Closest Star Factory to Earth

The Anteater Nebula (NGC 6726) in Corona Australis isn't just another pretty picture of space. It's one of the nearest star-forming regions to our solar system, making it an invaluable window into understanding how stars—and potentially solar systems like our own—come into existence. At just 420 light-years away, this cosmic maternity ward is 3.5 times closer than the famous Orion Nebula.

Polish astrophotographer Marzena Rogozińska ventured to Namibia's legendary Hakos Astrofarma in May 2025 to capture this extraordinary portrait of stellar birth. Under some of the darkest skies on Earth—pristine Bortle 1 conditions—she spent 5.5 hours collecting photons from this luminous cloud complex.

This site, known for its exceptionally dark skies (Bortle 1), offers some of the best observing conditions in the southern hemisphere. These conditions allowed for the capture of subtle dust structures and objects not visible from the northern hemisphere. - Marzena Rogozińska

The result? 

A photograph of breathtaking clarity, where the ghostly blue glow of a reflection nebula collides with impenetrable rivers of dark interstellar dust.

You're seeing the raw materials of creation, captured with an artist's eye and a scientist's precision.

An award-winning image that earned Silver at the Astrophotography Prize, Top Pick status on AstroBin, and recognition as ZWO's Astronomy Picture of the Week.

Photo details

• Date & Location: May 2025, Hakos Astrofarma, Namibia
• Telescope: Takahashi Epsilon 130D
• Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC Pro
• Filter: UV/IR Cut
• Mount: ZWO AM5, controlled via ASIAIR Pro
• Integration Time: 5.5 hours
• Software: PixInsight, Photoshop

Awards

• Silver Award – Astrophotography Prize
• Top Pick – AstroBin
• ZWO Astronomy Picture of the Week #29/2025

Who Is This Print For?

• Art Collectors & Photography Investors — This is an artwork by an internationally recognized artist whose images have been featured twice by NASA as Astronomy Picture of the Day. Acquire museum-grade provenance today—before the art world fully catches up.
• Space Enthusiasts & Lifelong Learners — Every time you walk past this print, you're looking at a place where solar systems are being born right now, 420 light-years away. This is your front-row seat to cosmic creation—a conversation starter that turns your home into an observatory of wonder.
• Interior Designers & Spatial Storytellers — Your clients demand statement pieces that elevate spaces beyond the ordinary, and this print delivers the cosmic aesthetic without kitsch. The natural blue tones complement both modern minimalist palettes and warmer traditional interiors, creating conversation-driving impact with lasting visual interest.
• Home Curators Seeking Originality — You want walls that tell stories, pieces that spark curiosity, rooms where guests linger. This isn't another abstract canvas or mass-produced poster—it's a scientifically accurate, artistically composed view of a region most people don't even know exists.
• Gift Seekers Who Want to Give Wonder — Forget candles and gift cards—this is something that matters, something remembered. Years from now, they'll remember who gave them the stars.

An Archived Treasure, Revived for Your Walls

At Astrography, we seek out these exceptional, story-rich images. We believe the best art tells a story, and this print tells a tale of human passion, remote exploration, and cosmic beauty.

We bring this award-winning vision to your home with uncompromising quality:

• Museum-Grade Fine Art Print: Using archival papers and pigment inks, we create a true gallery piece with a certified lifespan of over 200 years. This is not just a print; it's an heirloom investment in art and science.

• Budget-Friendly Poster: Experience the same award-winning detail and composition on high-quality poster paper, a vibrant and durable option perfect for any room that needs a touch of wonder.

Add the Anteater Nebula Poster to your collection today. Transform your space. Tell a cosmic story.