Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, located in the Abu Dhabi desert, has successfully photographed the extremely faint 'Squid Nebula', one of the most difficult celestial objects to observe from southern Arabia.
This achievement, the result of nearly a year and a half of continuous efforts, adds to the UAE's record in advanced astronomical observation and photography.
Mohammed Odeh, Director of the International Astronomy Center, confirmed that this nebula is characterised by its extreme faintness, having only been discovered a few years ago.
The nebula's low altitude below the horizon when viewed from southern regions limits the number of hours that it can be photographed in a single night. Its low position and proximity to the horizon also contribute to its diminished brightness, making its photography a significant scientific and technical challenge.
He explained that the nebula is known as the 'Squid Nebula' due to its shape resembling a squid. In the image, it appears blue, contrasting with another bright and distinct nebula, the 'Flying Bat Nebula', which appears bright red and is named for its bat-like shape.
He added that the very bright star located in the central part of the 'Squid Nebula' is the star HR 8119, part of a triple star system.
Discovered relatively recently, in 2011, by the French astrophotographer Nicolas Outters using a telescope with an aperture of only 4.2 inches, the 'Squid Nebula' appears blue in the image, consisting of ionised oxygen gas. It spans more than one degree in the sky and is extremely faint, with its origin remaining a mystery.
Structurally, the 'Squid Nebula' exhibits a central disc-like region with two elongated, opposing lobes, resembling a bipolar planetary nebula.
