The Cocoon Nebula
IC 5146 in Cygnus
is a gorgeous little 'tropical fish' which at once is an emission, reflection, and absorption nebula.
Physically reminiscent of The Trifid Nebula, it is also a stellar nursery, estimated at a distance of 4,000 light-years from Earth.
The rich swaths of chocolate-colored dust are part of Barnard 168, which trails well off to the right of this field.
Thanks, to Pete Proulx for this nice data from Sanborn, New York.
LARGE
is a gorgeous little 'tropical fish' which at once is an emission, reflection, and absorption nebula.
Physically reminiscent of The Trifid Nebula, it is also a stellar nursery, estimated at a distance of 4,000 light-years from Earth.
The rich swaths of chocolate-colored dust are part of Barnard 168, which trails well off to the right of this field.
Thanks, to Pete Proulx for this nice data from Sanborn, New York.
LARGE