Sh2 131
Elephant Trunk Nebula
The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula, officially designated as IC 1396A, is a dense concentration of gas and dust found within the much larger ionised region called IC 1396. Situated approximately 2,400 light-years from Earth in the northern constellation of Cepheus, this remarkable nebula serves as a vibrant stellar nursery where numerous new stars are actively forming and evolving over time.
Key Characteristics
Structure and size:
The “trunk” is a pillar of cold molecular gas approximately 20 light-years long.
Appearance:
Its name comes from its shape, resembling an elephant’s trunk in visible light, with a dark globule and a bright, glowing rim. This rim is illuminated and ionized by the radiation from a massive nearby star, HD 206267.
Star Formation:
Infrared images have shown very young stars within the nebula, less than 100,000 years old. The radiation and winds from HD 206267 compress the gas, triggering the formation of these protostars.
Astronomical Details:
Distance: Approximately 2,400 light-years.
Constellation: Cepheus.
Designation: IC 1396A within IC 1396.