The Cocoon Nebula

The Cocoon nebula can be found 4000 light years away in the summer constellation of Cygnus the swan, among the star fields which make up our galaxys disk. The young star at the center of the nebula is the power source for the the glowing hydrogen gas, which is 15 light years across. 15 light years is not far on a universal scale, but would take us more than half a billion years to traverse with current tech. Surrounding the nebula and continuing out of frame is a large molecular dust cloud which hosted the right conditions for the central star to be created around 100,000 years ago.

 

Exposure Details:

 

600s, f7, -15c

L: 5h40m

R: 1h20m

G: 30m

B: 1h20m

Total Exposure: 8hr50m

 

Scope: Altair Astro 115EDT

Mount: NEQ6

CCD: Atik 383L+

Done