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OU4-Final, Stephen Duffy

OU4-Final

OU4-Final, Stephen Duffy

OU4-Final

Description

The Giant Squid Nebula cataloged as Ou4, and Sh2-129 also known as the Flying Bat Nebula, are both caught in this cosmic scene toward the constellation Cepheus. Discovered in 2011 by French astro-imager Nicolas Outters, the Squid Nebula's alluring bipolar shape is distinguished here by the telltale blue-green emission from doubly ionized oxygen atoms. Though apparently completely surrounded by the red hydrogen emission region Sh2-129, the true distance and nature of the Squid Nebula have been difficult to determine. Still, a more recent investigation suggests Ou4 really does lie within Sh2-129 some 2,300 light-years away. Consistent with that scenario, Ou4 would represent a spectacular outflow driven by HR8119, a triple system of hot, massive stars seen near the center of the nebula. The truly giant Squid Nebula would physically be nearly 50 light-years across.
Text copied from Astronomy Picture of the Day
Scope TEC140, Camera QSI683, Mount MYT
Oiii-25 hours, Ha-8 hours, RGB 2hours each

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Histogram

OU4-Final, Stephen Duffy