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[zard0z]

What is that strange dark ribbon on the sky? When observing the great globular cluster NGC 4372, observers frequently take note of a strange dark streak nearly three degrees in length running near it. Unnamed, the streak, actually a long molecular cloud, has become known as the Dark Doodad Nebula. (Doodad is the technical term for a thingy or a whatchamacallit.) Pictured above in a rich and colorful star-field, the Dark Doodad Nebula can be found sweeping across the image center. The globular star cluster NGC 4372 is visible on the image left, while the bright star gamma Musca is seen to the cluster's right. The Dark Doodad Nebula can be found with strong binoculars toward the southern constellation of the Fly (Musca). The above image was compiled by consecutive 45 minutes exposures taken by a small telescope from the La Frontera region in Chile.

[bethany6788]

Pretty

[MtnBear]

Dark Doodad Nebula. (Doodad is the technical term for a thingy or a whatchamacallit.)

 doodad

[marilyn.monroe]

I can't believe doodad is a technical term. Haha! Cool!
That pic is awesome.
The use of the term "dark" in astronomy confuses me. How can we call something we can see, like a nebula, dark, and at the same time call something we can't see (as far as I know lol), like matter, dark?!
Why is this particular nebula strange? Is it the only one like it we've identified?

[zard0z]

I can't believe doodad is a technical term. Haha! Cool!
That pic is awesome.
The use of the term "dark" in astronomy confuses me. How can we call something we can see, like a nebula, dark, and at the same time call something we can't see (as far as I know lol), like matter, dark?!
Why is this particular nebula strange? Is it the only one like it we've identified?

Dark nebula are basically large clouds of gas and dust without any stars close enough to brighten them up.  There are many dark nebula cataloged, this one just looks different for some reason.