|
Date: June 30, July 4,5,6,8, 2014 - Telescope: ATRC10 - Camera: STL-11000 - Mount: Paramount MX Location: Davis Mountains, Texas - Exposure: Lum 160 min. - R 120, G 180, B 260 min. Guided using Innovations Foresight On Axix Guider (ONAG) Image Credit: Preston Starr and Donald Waid Click on the image below to view at higher resolution. |
|
IC5146 is also known as the Cocoon Nebula and lies in the constellation of Cygnus. It is approximately 3300 to 3900 light years from the Earth and spans a distance of almost 15 light years. The central star is the primary illuminating source of ultraviolet radiation that excites the surrounding molecular cloud of gas causing it to glow in the red part of the spectrum. Gas and dust surrounding the beautiful red emission nebula is visible as a reflection nebula and shines in the blue part of the spectrum. The Cocoon Nebula is a stellar nursery with most of the stars forming within approximately the last million years. The central star is estimated to have formed only one hundred thousand years ago. Dr. Robert Gendler published a very informative and detailed article describing the Cocoon Nebula and may be viewed here.
1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IC_5146
|
