The Squid Nebula, officially known as Ou4, is a fascinating and enigmatic nebula located within the larger Sh2-129, or Flying Bat Nebula, in the constellation Cepheus. Discovered in 2011 by French amateur astronomer Nicolas Outters, this nebula is distinguished by its unusual and ghostly appearance, resembling a giant, translucent squid floating in space. Ou4 is a bipolar outflow nebula, meaning it is shaped by powerful jets of gas being expelled from a central source, likely a massive star or a close binary star system. The nebula’s faint, bluish glow is due to the emission of doubly ionized oxygen (OIII), making it difficult to detect with conventional imaging techniques. The Squid Nebula’s discovery within Sh2-129 adds a layer of complexity to the region, providing astronomers with a rare and intriguing example of how massive stars influence their surroundings through intense radiation and powerful stellar winds.  Written by ChatGPT.

I only captured the “wings” of the Flying Bat.  The “body/head” would be off the image bottom center.