The Snake Nebula (also known as Barnard 72) is a dark nebula in the Ophiuchus constellation.

It is a small but readily apparent SP-shaped dust lane that snakes out in front of the Milky Way star clouds from the north-north-west edge of the bowl of the Pipe Nebula.

A good view in a 4" to 6" telescope requires clear dark skies.

It is part of the much larger Dark Horse Nebula.

To the right of the Snake Nebula is Barnard 68.