The Dark Shark Nebula (LDN 1235)

Credit: Chuck Wraith

The Dark Shark Nebula (LDN 1235) is part of a large dust cloud in the constellation Cepheus, approximately 650 light years away.  The entire nebula, of which this is only the “head”, spans 15 light years.  Dark nebulas do not produce their own light and are only observable by hiding the light of stars behind them or reflecting light from nearby stars.  In this case, you can see two small nebulas near the top and the bottom of the cloud which are reflecting blue light from the nearby energetic stars.  The Dark Shark Nebula is mostly notable for being one of the rare cases in astronomy where the name actually matches the object (without having to squint and look sideways).  Even through a large telescope this nebula is not a visual one and is so faint that it does not appear in individual images but only becomes visible when multiple images over an extended time are stacked together… so, as in real life, you will never see it coming! (*cue “Jaws” theme music*)

(This image was captured in Sequim on December 3, 2024)