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. ⸻ 🌌 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”). @Flyingbat ⸻ 📏 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. ⸻ 🌟 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. ⸻ 🔭 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. ⸻ 📸 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. ⸻ ✨ Hashtags for Sharing #Astronomy #Astrophotography #SquidNebula #Nebula #Stars #Cosmos View quoted note →