The central parts of this region of the sky are dominated by the connected constellations of Ophiuchus and Serpens, the Serpent Holder and the Serpent. Southward from Ophiuchus lie Sagittarius and Scorpius, enclosing a dense section of the Milky Way in the direction of the Galaxy's Core, busy with nebulae and clusters. Among the well known objects in this part of the sky are the Eagle, Lagoon, Omega and Trifid Nebulae.
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Northward from Ophiuchus are a series of recognisable summer constellations in the skies of the northern hemisphere. From west to east, the arc of Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, is followed by the approximate square that makes up the body of Hercules. Further eastward lies the brilliant star Vega, whose constellation of Lyra also contains the Ring Nebula, followed by the distinctive cross shape of Cygnus the Swan.
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