LBN 438 is a faint dark and emission nebula in the constellation Lacerta, cataloged by Beverly Lynds as part of her survey of obscure nebulae. The structure is shaped by dense interstellar dust that blocks background starlight while adjacent hydrogen gas glows faintly where it is energized by nearby stars. Subtle filaments and knots trace the turbulent boundary between illuminated gas and cold molecular material, offering a glimpse into the complex environments where stars may eventually form.

Nicknamed the Sandworm or Shai-Hulud for its sinuous, creature-like appearance, the nebula stretches across a rich Milky Way star field that enhances its dramatic silhouette. Captured from the Alentejo Remote Observatory, this image emphasizes the contrast between the dark, light-absorbing dust lanes and the softly glowing reddish hydrogen emission, revealing a rarely imaged structure that blends astrophysical processes with a striking visual form.