Ou4: The Giant Squid Nebula

Image Title: The Giant Squid Nebula (Ou4)

Copyright: Massimo Di Fusco

Date image was taken: June 06, 2025

Location: Ferrara (Italy)

Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup

Description and Details: Outters 4 (Ou4), also known as the Giant Squid Nebula, is a very faint planetary nebula in the constellation of Cepheus, discovered only in June 2011 by amateur astronomer Nicolas Outters. Ou4 appears to be completely surrounded by the reddish hydrogen emission region Sh2-129 but its true distance and nature have been difficult to determine. A recent investigation suggests that Ou4 is actually located within Sh2-129, about 2300 light-years away. If so, Ou4 would represent a spectacular outflow generated by HR8119, a triple system of hot and massive stars that can be observed near the center of the nebula and would have a physical diameter of almost 50 light-years.

Konus 200/1000 @950mm, f/4.8
Player One Poseidon-C camera @-5 °C
Sky-Watcher Eq6r Pro Mount
Optolong L-Ultimate filter 1000x300"
Optolong L-Quad Enahance filter 100x180"
N.I.N.A., APP, PixInsight, PS
Ferrara (Italy)

Name: Massimo Di Fusco

Website or Facebook Profile: https://www.astrobin.com/users/massimo.difusco/