LDN 1235 – The Shark Nebula

Description:

LDN 1235 is a dark/reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus approximately 650 light-years away. The nebulosity is composed of interstellar dust that hides most of the light from behind it. LDN 1235 is most likely an extended red emission nebula (ERE). EREs shine by photoluminescence when dust particles are hit by high energy radiation. Also shown in this image are two reflection nebulae, van den Bergh 149 (vdB 149) and vdB 150. The dust cloud resembles the shape of a shark and spans approximately 15 light-years head-to-tail. Due to its unique shape, it is popularly known as the Shark Nebula

Astronomers have a fertile imagination…