NGC 1788 - The Cosmic Bat

NGC 1788, also known as the Bat Nebula, is a striking reflection nebula located in the constellation Orion, approximately 1,300 light-years away. Despite being relatively isolated from Orion’s bright nebulae, it is influenced by the intense radiation from massive nearby stars, which sculpts its complex structure.

This region consists of dense dark nebulae, reflection nebulae, and faint emission features, giving it a distinct bat-like appearance. The illuminating stars hidden within the cloud create the blue glow characteristic of reflection nebulae, while ionized hydrogen adds subtle reddish hues at the edges. NGC 1788 is also a site of active star formation, hosting a population of young, low-mass stars embedded within its dusty filaments.

Its low surface brightness and intricate dust structures make it a challenging but rewarding astrophotography target, best captured under dark skies with long integration times.

Photographed from Trevinca, Spain under Bortle 2 conditions.