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LDN 43 the cosmic bat nebula


LDN 43 the cosmic bat nebula

Object name
LDN 43 the cosmic bat nebula

Constellation: Ophiuchus
Distance: 1,400 light years
Imaged by Jean-Yves Beninger from Warrunbungle National Park, Australia
on 28,29 January and 4, 16 and 24 February 2026

Equipment:
Astro-Physics Mach1
Astro-Physics AP130 GTX Grand Turismo with Quad TCC 588mm
Camera Zwo ASI 2600MM pixel size 3.76ยต
Filters H, O, R, G, B,

HOO image for the nebula and RGB image for the stars

Description:

LDN 43 is a striking dark nebula located in the constellation of Ophiuchus, part of a larger complex of interstellar dust clouds. Unlike bright emission nebulae that glow with ionized gas, LDN 43 is visible because its dense dust obscures the rich star fields of the Milky Way behind it.

The nebula is best known for its dramatic cometary shape and the young stellar object hidden within it. Deep inside the cloud lies a forming star that drives powerful bipolar jets into surrounding space, carving cavities through the dust and gas.