IC 1396 is classified as a star cluster with associated nebulosity. The dark elongated globule in the left center of the image is the Elephant's Trunk nebula, a collection of ionized gas and dust being eroded by radiation from adjacent bright stars. It is thought to be a site of star formation. Numerous similar dark globules are seen throughout the nebula, which lies about 2400 light years away.

Technical Information       

Date:                       September, 2013

Location:                 Green Valley, Arizona

Telescope:              Takahashi FSQ-106EDX

Camera:                  SBIG STT-8300M

Filters:                     Astrodon Gen 2

Mount:                     AstroPhysics 1200

Exposure:                HaRGB = 8:2:2:2 hours, all unbinned

Software:                 Acquisition: Maxim DL 5, TheSkyX, Pinpoint, CCD Commander

                                Processing: CCDStack, PhotoShop CS6 with various plugins