Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cepheus (Cep)
The Elephant Trunk in the “visible” spectrum, Giorgio
The Elephant Trunk in the “visible” spectrum
Powered byPixInsight

The Elephant Trunk in the “visible” spectrum

The Elephant Trunk in the “visible” spectrum, Giorgio
The Elephant Trunk in the “visible” spectrum
Powered byPixInsight

The Elephant Trunk in the “visible” spectrum

Equipment

Loading...

Acquisition details

Loading...

Description

The Elephant's Trunk Nebula is a concentration of dark, dense gas and dust within the larger IC 1396 ionized gas region in Cepheus about 2,400 light years away. The very bright, massive star HD 206267 (not visible in this frame) ionises the whole IC 1396 gas region and illuminates one side of the dense cloud, creating the bright rim. Stars are still forming in the nebula – including the two visible in the small, circular cavity within the head of the globule; this cavity was probably created by their stellar wind. Other stars nearby appear to dimly shine through the gas which surrounds them.

This was one of the first images I took after modifying my Canon 550D. The only filter in place was the stock IR/UV block filter left on the sensor. “Visible” in quotes of course – given that the DSLR modification amplifies a lot the sensitivity to the deep red at the H-alpha wavelength (656 nm) compared to the human eye.

Comments

Sky plot

Sky plot

Histogram

The Elephant Trunk in the “visible” spectrum, Giorgio