IC 1369a

Jan 12th, 2026

2 h 47 m

The Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) is a bright section of the emission nebula and young star cluster IC 1396 in the constellation Cepheus. Some characteristics: Distance from Earth — 2,400 light-years. The nebula is a globule—a dense concentration of interstellar gas and dust. In images, the nebula shows a bright rim. This is the surface of the dense cloud, illuminated and ionized by the very bright, massive star HD 206267, located to the east of IC 1396A. The nebula is an active star-forming region and contains many young stars and protostars. The "Elephant's Trunk" itself measures about 20 light-years in length.

Jan 12th, 2026

2 h 47 m

The Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) is a bright section of the emission nebula and young star cluster IC 1396 in the constellation Cepheus. Some characteristics: Distance from Earth: 2,400 light-years. The nebula is a globule—a dense concentration of interstellar gas and dust. In images, the nebula exhibits a bright rim. This is the surface of the dense cloud, illuminated and ionized by the very bright, massive star HD 206267, located to the east of IC 1396A. The nebula is an active star-forming region containing many young stars and protostars. The size of the "Elephant's Trunk" itself is about 20 light-years in length.