Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cepheus (Cep)  ·  Contains:  HD205948  ·  HD206081  ·  LBN 451  ·  LBN 452  ·  LDN 1098  ·  LDN 1099  ·  LDN 1105  ·  VdB142
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The Elephant Trunk Nebula!, jrtb
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The Elephant Trunk Nebula!

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
The Elephant Trunk Nebula!, jrtb
Powered byPixInsight

The Elephant Trunk Nebula!

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Description

A region of intense star formation within the larger IC 1396 complex located in the constellation Cepheus. This elongated dark nebula is primarily composed of dense molecular gas and dust, which can eventually collapse under its own gravity to form new stars.

The radiation from nearby massive stars illuminates the outer edges of the nebula, causing it to appear as a bright structure against the dark background of space. This process, known as photoionization, contributes to the striking visual contrast in the Elephant Trunk Nebula.

Within the nebula, young stars are actively forming, and some may still be enshrouded in their birth material. Over time, these stars will continue to affect their surroundings through stellar winds and radiation, influencing the dynamics of the nebula.

Observations of regions like the Elephant Trunk Nebula provide valuable insights into the life cycle of stars and the processes involved in the creation of new stellar systems. Astronomers use various instruments, including telescopes sensitive to infrared and radio wavelengths, to study different aspects of this fascinating cosmic structure.

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The Elephant Trunk Nebula!, jrtb