click here for a 75% size image, 2950x1950 (4040KB)
Click on the image below to see a cocoon nebula area in the light of Halpha (16 hours exposed) - 884KB:
| Optics | TEC 140APO with Flattener at f7.2 |
| Mount | AstroPhysics 900GoTo |
| Camera | STL11000M |
| Filters | Baader LHaRGB |
| Date | May-August 2012 |
| Location | Antares Observatory |
| Sky Conditions | mag 5 sky in average |
| Exposure | LHaRGB = 7-16-2.2-2.2-2 total: 29.4h |
| FWHM | 3 arcseconds |
| Programs used | CCDSoft, PixInsight, Photoshop CS4 |
| Notes | chosen as APOD, September 13, 2012 |
The cocoon nebula is a compact star forming region with nearly 15 light-years in diameter. Located about 4000 light-years away, the center of the cocoon nebula is glowing in red by the excited hydrogen gas. The star in the center of the nebula is likely only a few hundred thousand years old, powering the nebula glow. At the same time, a blue reflection nebula and dark absorbtion nebulas are visible, resulting in different color mixtures. Click on the left image below to see a 150% resolution crop of the cocoon nebula. For a 100% resolution crop of LDN 1035 and other dark nebulas click on the right thumbnail.
click here for a 75% size image, 2950x1950 (4040KB)
Click on the image below to see a cocoon nebula area in the light of Halpha (16 hours exposed) - 884KB: