TECHNICAL DETAILS ICAL DETAILS

OBJECT DATA: IC5146 The cocoon nebula (Cygnus). Distance: 4.000 light years.
CATEGORY: emission nebulae
OPTICS:Takahashi FSQ f/5
MOUNT: Losmandy GM-8
CAMERA: Modified Canon 350D (with Baader IR filter) @ 400 ISO
FILTERS: none
DATE: June 6, 2008
LOCATION & CONDITIONS: Ager (Lérida) - Spain. 7 ºC
EXPOSURE: 3 X 600 sec. (Total: 30 min.)
CALIBRATION FRAMES: 18 darks, 20 flats
AQUISITION & PROCESSING: MaxIm DL, Images Plus, Photoshop CS3
COMMENTS: The Cocoon Nebula is, at the same time, an emission nebula, a reflection nebula, and an absorption nebula. Recent measurements holds that the massive star in the center opened a hole in an existing molecular cloud through which much of the glowing material flows. The same star, which formed about 100,000 years ago, now provides the energy source for much of the emitted and reflected light from this nebula. When viewing IC 5146, dark nebula Barnard 168 (B168) is an inseparable part of the experience, forming a dark lane that surrounds the cluster and projects westward forming the appearance of a trail behind the Cocoon.