whit — Alex

You’re telling me there is something that looks like … okay #starfriends

🦑 What is the #Squid #Nebula (Ou4)?

•	Discovered in 2011 by French astrophotographer Nicolas Outters.

•	Nicknamed the “Squid Nebula” because of its striking, tentacle-like bipolar shape.

•	Officially cataloged as Ou4.

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🌌 Appearance

•	Appears in Earth’s night sky as a structure spanning 3 times the size of the full moon.

•	The glowing blue color comes from doubly ionized oxygen (OIII) atoms.

•	Surrounded by a larger red emission nebula, Sh2-129 (sometimes called the “Flying Bat Nebula”).

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📏 Size & Distance • Estimated to be around 2,300 light years away, located inside Sh2-129.

•	If this estimate is correct, Ou4 spans a staggering 50 light years across — making it one of the largest known outflows of its kind.

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🌟 Power Source • Likely powered by a triple system of massive, hot stars known as HR 8119.

•	These stars, located at the nebula’s center, may drive the outflow of matter that forms the squid shape.

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🔭 Scientific Importance • The Squid Nebula is unusual because it was discovered relatively recently by an amateur astrophotographer, not a major survey telescope.

•	Its origin is still not fully understood:

•	Is it a planetary nebula? (from a dying star)

•	Or a giant outflow linked to massive star winds or interactions?

•	Further spectroscopy and distance measurements are ongoing to confirm its nature.

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📸 Credits

•	The striking image of Ou4 was captured by #Alex #Linde


•	It combines multiple filters to isolate the light from hydrogen and oxygen emissions, highlighting the squid-like form.

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✨ Hashtags for Sharing

#Astronomy #Astrophotography #SquidNebula #Nebula #Stars #Cosmos

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starfriends Squid Nebula Alex Linde Astronomy Astrophotography SquidNebula

10/4/2025, 2 engagements

• Appears in Earth’s night sky as a structure spanning 3 times the size of the full moon. • The glowing blue color comes from doubly ionized oxygen (OIII) atoms. • Surrounded by a larger red emission nebula, Sh2-129 (sometimes called the “Flying Bat Nebula”).

• Its origin is still not fully understood: • Is it a planetary nebula? (from a dying star) • Or a giant outflow linked to massive star winds or interactions? • Further spectroscopy and distance measurements are ongoing to confirm its nature.