vdB142 — Elephant Trunk Nebula
Reflection Nebula in Cepheus
About
The reflection nebula at the centre of IC 1396 in Cepheus. Roughly 2,400 light-years from us, it contains the dark lane called the Elephant's Trunk, a dense globule with a bright rim, lit by HD 206267, a heavy multiple star lying just east of it.
Imaging tips
- One source gives vdB 142 itself as 1.0′ across, while the whole of IC 1396 spans about 3.5° × 2.36°: pick a long focal length for the Trunk or a wide lens for the complex.
- The nebula is reflection but IC 1396 around it is emission, so broadband suits vdB 142, while narrowband suits the wider gas. One imager used Hα, OIII and SII plus RGB for 49 hours.
- One imager took the Trunk with 10 × 3 min at 1600 mm through a Moon and skyglow filter, about 30 minutes in total.
- Best around July and August, peaking near 82° altitude from 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 20′
- Magnitude
- —
- Coordinates
- RA 21h 36.7m, Dec +57° 30′
- Framing, APS-C
- 1210–2020 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 1860–3090 mm
- Best months
- Jul, Aug
- Peak altitude
- 83° from 50°N, 68° from 35°N