Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cepheus (Cep)
Sh2-129 + Ou4 (Dss2+OIII) (cutout), Giuseppe Donatiello
Sh2-129 + Ou4 (Dss2+OIII) (cutout)
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Sh2-129 + Ou4 (Dss2+OIII) (cutout)

Sh2-129 + Ou4 (Dss2+OIII) (cutout), Giuseppe Donatiello
Sh2-129 + Ou4 (Dss2+OIII) (cutout)
Powered byPixInsight

Sh2-129 + Ou4 (Dss2+OIII) (cutout)

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Description

Ou4: A Giant Squid Nebula

Credit: ESO/Dss2, Giuseppe Donatiello

Image in Oxygen III narrow band data, of Ou4 nebula in Cepheus. Discovered by French astro-imager Nicolas Outters, the bipolar shape and emission are consistent with it being a planetary nebula, but its actual distance and origin are unknown.

Recent investigation suggests Ou4 really lies within the emission region SH2-129 some 2,300 light-years away. Consistent with that scenario, the cosmic squid would represent a spectacular outflow of material driven by a triple system of hot, massive stars, cataloged as HR8119, seen near the center of the nebula. If so, this nebula would physically be nearly 50 light-years across.

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Sh2-129 + Ou4 (Dss2+OIII) (cutout), Giuseppe Donatiello