Stunning image.

Challenging to photograph, this enigmatic, squid-like interstellar cloud stretches across almost three complete moons in Earth’s atmosphere. Identified in 2011 by French astrophotographer Nicolas Outters, the Squid Nebula’s bipolar form is characterized here by the distinctive blue radiation from doubly ionized oxygen atoms. Although seemingly enclosed by the crimson hydrogen emission zone Sh2-129, the accurate distance and essence of the Squid Nebula remain challenging to ascertain. Nevertheless, one study indicates that Ou4 does indeed reside within Sh2-129 approximately 2,300 light-years distant. Aligning with that possibility, the cosmic squid would represent an extraordinary ejection of material propelled by a triple star system of hot, massive stars cataloged as HR8119, located near the core of the nebula. If so, this truly immense squid nebula would extend over 50 light-years in width.