Located about 2400 light-years from Earth, IC 1396 is a large, roughly circular region of glowing gas and dust in the constellation of Cepheus. About 100 light-years across, this star-forming region is energized by the bluish central multiple star system called HD 206267. These stars ionize the gas and make it glow bright , while dark regions of dust can also be seen.
The Elephant’s Trunk itself is one feature that stands out prominently in images taken of the larger nebula. Light pressure from HD 206267 in the core blows away dust from that area, leaving behind the darker region at the center of the nebula and compressing dust around the edges. This shock pressure creates local density differentials, which drive the formation of newer stars. As a result, about 250 young stars, less than 100,000 years old, have been detected in infrared images taken of the Trunk region.
The data for this image was taken over several nights.
Integration per filter:
– Multiband: 23h 38m (709 × 120")
Equipment:
– Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 11"
– Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
– Mount: iOptron CEM60EC
– Filter: Antlia ALP-T Dual Band 5nm Highspeed 2"
– Accessory: Starizona HyperStar 11 v4 (HS4-C11)
– Software: Adobe Photoshop, Aries Productions Astro Pixel Processor (APP)
For more information, visit AstroBin: https://app.astrobin.com/i/581dzi
by twilightmoons