IC 1396 in the constellation Cepheus

IC 1396 is composed of ionized gas and dark dust clouds located in the constellation Cepheus. Illuminated by the energy of a bright central star, this star-forming region spans hundreds of light-years. In Earth's sky, it covers 3 degrees, and its distance is only 3,000 light-years. Among the intricate dark dust filaments in the IC 1396 nebula, the Elephant's Trunk Nebula can be seen. Within the dark clouds, stars may still be forming through gravitational collapse.