Abyss Within the Flame – Flying Bat and Squid Nebulae

Abyss Within the Flame reveals one of the most elusive structures in the night sky — the Squid Nebula (OU4), concealed within the turbulent glow of the Flying Bat Nebula (Sh2-129). Like a giant squid hidden deep within Earth’s oceans, its presence is not immediately apparent, emerging only through patience, precision, and restraint.

Built from approximately 25 hours of exposure gathered over five years, the final result is a portrait of persistence. OU4 (the Squid) is extraordinarily difficult to record, especially from light-polluted skies, where its extremely low surface brightness can vanish into skyglow. Pulling it from the background requires long integration, careful filtering, and meticulous control of gradients and noise—work measured not in minutes, but in seasons.

Presented in a starless rendering, the image removes the surrounding starfield to reveal the nebulae’s true structure: sweeping arcs and layered filaments in Sh2-129, and the delicate, otherworldly silhouette of OU4 suspended within it. What remains is pure form—an abstract composition shaped by ionized gas, energetic radiation, and time.

This is not a single-night capture, but a multi-year accumulation of faint light, drawn out of bright suburban skies to reveal objects that most observers never see—let alone photograph.

Available as a Fine Art Metallic Paper print, chosen for its exceptional depth and luminosity, or as a Metal Print- ready to hang for a bold, contemporary presentation. An optional CODA float mount provides a clean, frameless display that allows the artwork to visually float off the wall.