Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cygnus (Cyg)  ·  Contains:  B168  ·  Cocoon Nebula  ·  HD208362  ·  IC 5146  ·  LBN 424  ·  LDN 1055  ·  PGC 167593  ·  PGC 167597  ·  Sh2-125  ·  VdB147
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IC5146 Cocoon Nebula, Johnny Qiu
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IC5146 Cocoon Nebula

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
IC5146 Cocoon Nebula, Johnny Qiu
Powered byPixInsight

IC5146 Cocoon Nebula

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Description

IC 5146, also known as the Cocoon Nebula, is a reflection / emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus.

The overall shape of the Cocoon Nebula somewhat resembles a giant cocoon, hence the name. Visually, the cocoon's shell is composed of bright blue clouds of gas, formed by dust particles reflecting light from nearby bright stars. Inside the cocoon, warm shades of pink and red dominate, the influence of newborn stars within the nebula that are burning and emitting high-energy ultraviolet light, causing the surrounding gas to glow.

IC 5146 actually refers to the sparse star cluster in the central region of the nebula. Its member stars form a spectacular sprinkling of points against the nebular backdrop, adding to the dreamlike quality of this cocoon-shaped nebula. The cluster is about 100,000 years old and closely related to the nebula's dynamic development and shape.

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IC5146 Cocoon Nebula, Johnny Qiu