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Object name
OU4 the Squid nebula

Constellation: Cepheus
Distance:2 300 light years
Imaged by Jean-Yves Beninger from Alqueva Dark Sky, Portugal
From 24 August to 7 September 2024

Equipment:
Astro-Physics Mach1
Astro-Physics AP130 Starfire EDF with 2.7" field flattener 67PF562, 819mm
Camera Zwo ASI 2600MM pixel size 3.76µ
Filters R, G, B, S, H, O

HO RGB image

Description:

OU4 is an enormous bipolar nebula shaped like a squid, with long, faint tendrils stretching across space. It is primarily visible in the oxygen-III (OIII) emission line, giving it a striking blue-green appearance in astrophotography. The nebula appears to be embedded within a much larger emission nebula known as Sh2-129, also called the Flying Bat Nebula.

Spanning nearly 50 light-years, its origin is debated, either a planetary nebula from the central HR 8119 star system or a giant outflow of material from HR 8119.