Astrophotographer captures Comet C/2023 E1 Atlas in rare encounter with Flying Bat and Squid Nebula

Comet C/2023 E1 Atlas in a rare encounter with Flying Bat and Squid Nebula. (Image credit: Miguel Claro)

This striking deep-sky image details a cosmic cacophony of nebulas, stars and a periodic comet with an orbital period of 85 years. The rare encounter was captured in exquisite detail by astrophotographer Miguel Claro. 

A deep-sky portrait captured in different wavelengths between Ha, OIII and RGB light, features a large reddish cloud of glowing hydrogen gas from the Sh2-129, known as the Flying Bat nebula. The nebula, with a physical diameter of 271 light-years, seems to have embedded a blueish giant Squid Nebula which spans across the center 50 light-years long.