IC1396 - The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula

Wed Oct 04 2023

The Elephant's Trunk Nebula is a winding column of gas and dust about 2,400 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. The 'trunk' is a dense rope of cold gas being lit and eroded by nearby hot stars, and pockets deep inside it are collapsing to form brand-new stars. Captured in hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur over several nights.

About this object

Type

Star Cluster with Nebulosity

Constellation

Cepheus (the King)

Apparent size

14.0′ × 4.0′

Catalogue designations

IC 1396

Acquisition

• Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 31 mm: 132 × 2m (4h 24m)
• Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 31 mm: 222 × 2m (7h 24m)
• Antlia 3nm Narrowband Sulfur II 31 mm: 210 × 2m (7h 0m)
• Total integration: 18h 48m

Equipment

• Telescope / Lens: Celestron C8
• Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro
• Mount: Celestron CGEM II
• Filters: Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 31 mm, Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 31 mm, Antlia 3nm Narrowband Sulfur II 31 mm
• Guiding scope: SVBony SV106 60mm Guide Scope
• Guiding camera: ZWO ASI224MC
• Accessories: Celestron 0.63X SCT Reducer (94175), ZWO EFW 8 x 1.25″ / 31mm
• Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight

Astrophotography by David Joyce, AstroDavido.