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Credit & Copyright: Patrick Hsieh
Explanation:
Sprawling emission nebulae IC 1396 and Sh2-129 mix
glowing interstellar gas and dark dust clouds in
this 10 degree wide field
of view toward the northern constellation
Cepheus the King.
Energized by its bluish central star
IC 1396 (left)
is hundreds of light-years across and some 3,000 light-years distant.
The nebula's intriguing dark shapes include
a winding dark cloud popularly known as the
Elephant's Trunk below and right of center.
Tens of light-years long, it holds the raw
raw material for star formation and is known to hide
protostars
within.
Located a similar distance from planet Earth, the
bright knots and swept back ridges of emission of Sh2-129 on the right
suggest its popular name, the
Flying Bat Nebula.
Within the Flying Bat, the most recently recognized
addition to this royal cosmic zoo is the faint bluish emission from Ou4, the
Giant Squid nebula.
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A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: emission nebula
Publications with words: emission nebula
See also: