|
 July 11 2009  Covered In Silk. |
|
The dictionary defines cocoon as, "A protective covering in nature, as the silky case protecting new larvae." So a more fitting name for IC5146, the Cocoon Nebula, can not be found. Within & around this multiple personality cloud of emission, reflection, & absorption nebulae, lies the new star cluster of Collinder470. The stars were born here & are just beginning their journeys outward. That's why the cluster itself is indistinct...the newly hatched suns have left the cocoon.
Left behind is a beautiful complex of left-over star-stuff. The 9th magnitude star which stayed behind is flexing it's muscles & has blown a hole in the surrounding gas. The object reminds me of another favorite of mine, M20, the Trifid Nebula. The same dark tentacles cut across this nebula also. If we could see a bit further north, we'd notice a long & distinct dark nebula trailing from the Cocoon, which is Barnard168.
MyTelescope.Com, 10" f/6.3, 3 each LRGB at 150 seconds, Processed with Photoshop. |
| Submitted by: DavidLee | Location: Eastern Cygnus | Date: June 18 2009 |
Share AAPOD Del.icio.us |
Digg |
Technorati |
Blinklist |
Furl |
reddit |
Facebook
July 11 2009
Views: 801
|
|
|
