Cocoon Nebula IC5146 and dark tail
IC 5146 is a reflection/emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus. The NGC description refers to IC 5146 as a cluster of 9.5 mag stars. The cluster is about 4,000 ly away, and the central star that lights it formed about 100,000 years ago; the nebula is about 15 light years across. 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.
Photo Details
Telescope: FSQ106EDX (530 mm) Takahashi
Camera: Sbig ST-8300M, Sbig Filter wheel, Baader 36mm round HLRGB filters
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Guiding: Off-axis, Orion SS Autoguider
Exposure: LRGB 8h
When: August 2012
Other information: Very good transparency and seeing for L, terrible seeing for RGB