This Dark Nebula Looks Like it is Writhing in Agony

by Nancy Atkinson on October 29, 2014

LBN 438 is a dark nebula and can be found in the constellation Lacerta. Credit and copyright: Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona.

We’ve got at least one scary night ahead with Halloween falling on Friday. Adam Block, manager at the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter at the University of Arizona sent us this image of the nebula LBN 438, explaining that this dark cloud of dust glows eerily both from scattered starlight and extended red emission due to the radiation of a nearby star.

“My mind alternates between something dancing in ecstasy or writhing in torture,” Adam said. “Either way, very spooky…”

Adam just happens to have access to a 32-inch Schulman Telescope (RCOS) at Mt Lemmon, and used a SBIG STX16803 CCD Camera to get this scary shot.