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Flying Bat Nebula (Sh2-129)
emission nebula in Cepheus
The Flying Bat Nebula is a very large, faint emission nebula in Cepheus, with a smaller, bright-blue nebula called the Squid (Ou4) discovered inside it in 2011. The whole region spans more than two degrees, so it is a wide-field target. It needs a lot of exposure and narrowband data.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- Sh2-129
- Also known as
- Sharpless 129, Sh 2-129
- Type
- emission nebula
- Constellation
- Cepheus
- Size
- 2.5° across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 10
- Distance
- roughly 2,000 to 3,000 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Aug
- Typical prime months
- May to Oct
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Filter
- Narrowband: Ha / OIII / SII, or a dual-band / UHC filter
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How to image Flying Bat Nebula
- Use 200 to 400 mm; the full region is wider than most frames.
- OIII reveals the Squid, and Ha shows the bat, so shoot both if you can.
- It is high in the sky from northern sites in summer and autumn.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which Sh2-129 spans about 60% of the long side of the sensor, leaving room around it. Treat it as a starting point; the right framing is a matter of taste.
| Sensor | Focal length |
|---|---|
| 1-inch sensor (13.2 mm) | about 180 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 320 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 490 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point Sh2-129 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | 85° | High in the sky |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | 75° | High in the sky |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 65° | High in the sky |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 55° | Workable |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | below horizon | Never rises |
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