SH2-129 and Ou4 – Giant Squid Nebula

Description:

Sh2-129, also known as the Flying Bat Nebula, is an HII emission nebula located about 1,300 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cepheus.

Through this emission nebula, a planetary nebula can be seen, cataloged Ou4 after its discoverer, the French amateur astronomer Nicolas Outters. This one is located about 2,300 light-years away and appears blue-green in this photo because of the nature of its gas, doubly ionized oxygen. This nebula represents an immense challenge to photograph because it shines only very faintly.