Paweł Radomski: Sapphire Horse of Scorpius

Paweł Radomski: Sapphire Horse of Scorpius (IC 4592) - The Dream Target Finally Revealed

From Poland, it barely clears the horizon. Summer nights offer only fleeting hours. The atmospheric distortion is brutal. Yet Paweł Radomski kept this blue phantom at the back of his mind for years, waiting for the moment when circumstances would finally align.

That moment came on La Palma in the Canary Islands. And when the frames started arriving, he felt something he describes simply: childlike joy.

This is IC 4592, the Blue Horsehead Nebula—a jewel of Scorpius rendered in sapphire by starlight scattering through cosmic dust.

This isn't just another nebula photograph. This is a Polish astrophotographer's dream made visible, captured when location, equipment, and conditions finally conspired to reveal what's nearly impossible to see from European skies.

The Blue Horsehead Nebula, is what I would call a dream target. In Poland, this object rises very low above the horizon, and even during relatively clear summer nights, collecting data for it is extremely difficult — mainly because of its low altitude and the short duration of the night. Due to its position, achieving proper sharpness is challenging, and the delicate dust structures surrounding the blue stars are very subtle. - Paweł Radomski

The Physics of Sapphire Light

IC 4592 is a reflection nebula—it doesn't generate its own light. Instead, it shines by reflecting and scattering the brilliant blue starlight of Nu Scorpii, a multiple star system whose young, hot B-type stars illuminate the surrounding dust with their intense ultraviolet glow. This scattering process—where shorter blue wavelengths scatter more efficiently through fine interstellar dust particles—creates the nebula's signature cobalt hue. The same physics that makes our Earth's sky blue at midday makes this distant nebula sapphire.

Located 400–470 light-years away in northern Scorpius, IC 4592 spans an enormous region of sky—roughly 3 by 1.5 degrees, or approximately 150 by 60 arcminutes. That's six times the width of the full moon. Yet despite its vast size, it remains subtle and challenging to capture, embedded within dark dust lanes of the larger Rho Ophiuchi molecular cloud complex that carve the distinctive horse silhouette visible in deep exposures.

The "horse" isn't an optical illusion. It's a real dark dust cloud—a cold, dense globule of gas and interstellar material that blocks the light behind it. Against the cobalt glow of the surrounding reflection nebula, this dark silhouette creates one of the sky's most recognizable shapes. Nu Scorpii's brightest stars form the horse's "eye," piercing through the dust and casting their blue light across the nebula's delicate structures.

Why This Image Matters: The Geographic Challenge

From Poland's mid-latitude skies, IC 4592 rises painfully low on the southern horizon during summer—the only season when it's even remotely observable. At such low altitudes, atmospheric turbulence distorts the image, atmospheric extinction dims the light, and the observing window compresses into just a few precious hours per night. Collecting sufficient data to reveal the nebula's delicate dust structures becomes less imaging and more endurance test.

When Radomski traveled to La Palma—where the same object climbs high into dark skies—everything changed. The equipment performed flawlessly. The weather cooperated. The atmospheric conditions allowed for the sharpness necessary to reveal the subtle dust textures that make IC 4592 extraordinary. The result captures not just a nebula, but the realization of a long-deferred dream.

Technical details

• Scope: WO RedCat51
• Mount: Sky Watcher Sky Adventurer GTi
• Camera: ZWO ASI 1600MM-C
• Filters: Baader LRGB
• Processing: PixInsight

Exposure Times:

• L: 162x180sec
• RGB: 30x120sec each channel
• TOTAL: 11h 6'

Unrivaled Quality Options

At Astrography, we believe that the cosmos offers the ultimate art gallery. We don't just present images; we provide a curated selection of masterpieces chosen for their profound artistic value, compelling narratives, and scientific wonder. We meticulously search the available resources to bring you prints that are truly unique and worthy of any sophisticated collection.

Fine Art Print – Museum-Grade Legacy

Our Fine Art option delivers the sapphire brilliance of IC 4592 with archival excellence. Museum-grade materials and premium inks preserve every nuance of Nu Scorpii's blue starlight scattering through cosmic dust, the delicate dust structures, and the horse silhouette's subtle definition. Rated for over 200 years of lifespan—a legacy piece that will outlast generations. For collectors who understand that exceptional targets deserve exceptional materials.

Poster – Accessible Beauty

Experience Radomski's dream capture at a budget-friendly price. Our poster version delivers the same stunning sapphire nebula with vibrant blues and sharp detail, optimized for immediate visual impact. Perfect for any space where you want to inspire wonder. The horse of Scorpius deserves a wall, regardless of budget.

Who Should Own the "Sapphire Horse"?

• Art Collectors seeking unique, emotionally resonant photographic works.
• Space and Science Lovers captivated by the beauty of reflection nebulae.
• Interior Designers looking for a luminous, sophisticated color palette and dynamic focal point.
• Gift Seekers searching for a memorable, breathtaking piece of art from the depths of space.

Don't Let This Celestial Dream Pass By. Own a Piece of the Sapphire Sky.

Bring the serenity and deep blue wonder of the Sapphire Horse of Scorpius into your collection. This print is a testament to the beauty found when dedication meets the perfection of the cosmos.