IC 1396 is a very scattered open cluster associated with a large diffuse nebula, in the constellation Cepheus, about 3000 LY from the Solar System. In reality, IC 1396 is a collective designation referring to both the great nebula and the bland open cluster within it; more precisely, the open cluster has the specific abbreviation Cr 439, while the region of ionized gas is also known as Sh2-131. It is located in a stretch of the Milky Way partially obscured by dense banks of dark nebulae, in a region rich in neutral gas and dust with associated young and hot blue stars. IC 1396 is located immediately south of the star μ Cephei, a red supergiant also known as Granatum Sidus due to William Herschel's comment that "It has a nice deep garnet color". Locating the cluster itself is not easy, because it is very dispersed and almost merges with the surrounding star field. What appears quite evident in the long exposure photos is the large nebula complex that surrounds the cluster and extends for about 3°, an H II region that is part of a vast system of molecular clouds and OB associations called the Cepheus nebula complex. This nebula is crossed by numerous dark spots, which turn out to be Bok globules, i.e. particularly concentrated regions of the nebula where the formation of new stars takes place, the best known of which is named as the Elephant's trunk (vdB 142). The gases of the nebula complex of IC 1396 are excited by the stellar wind of the blue giant HD 206267. =12.0ptHD 206267 consists of a binary with a 3.7 day orbital period and a third component.  The maximum terminal velocity of the stellar wind from HD 206267 has been estimated to be ~3,225 km/s. The intense radiation pressure and stellar winds from this object are thought to be compressing parts of the surrounding molecular cloud resulting in triggered star formation.
Northwest of the large complex of IC 1396, also in the constellation Cepheus, is the HII region Sh2-129, also known as the Flying Bat Nebula. It is an emission nebula located about 1300 LY from the Solar System.
Unguided shots, so some walking noise is visible.