IC 1396 is a vast region of hydrogen gas, dust, and star formation
in the constellation Cepheus. Though it is around 3000 light years
from earth, it still spans 3 degrees (6 full moons) in the sky, making
IC 1396 one of the largest emission nebula in the sky. The interstellar
gas in this area is set aglow by the bright star near the middle of the
nebula, and the radiation from that star is eroding the surrounding gas and
dust, sculpting the fascinating shapes along the nebula. Among the most
interesting parts of IC 1396 is the long (20 light years), bright-rimmed shape on the left
side in this image, an area known as the Elephant Trunk Nebula. Here the gas and
dust has resisted the eroding radiation for a while, though the pressure from
outside (seen in the glowing rim around this dark extension) and from within
(from young stars carving out an opening near the end of the Elephant Trunk)
is slowly dissolving this dark cloud.

Image data:
Camera: SBIG STXL-11002
Exposure:
Hydrogen-alpha: 220 minutes (taken in 2010)
OIII: 235 minutes
Red, Green, & Blue: 30 minute each
(total = 10 hours 35 minutes)
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ 106