Before It's News | Popular Space
Anne’s Picture of the Day: The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula
read more at Anne’s Astronomy News http://annesastronomynews.com/ June 30, 2013
The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula, a dark globule within IC 1396 Image Credit: Lóránd Fényes, Best Newcomer in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2012 Competition
The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) is an elongated dark globule of more than 20 light-years long within the much larger (over 100 light-years across) emission nebula IC 1396 which is located about 2,400 light-years away in the northern constellation of Cepheus (named after the King of Aethiopia in Greek mythology). It was given this name as it resembles the head and trunk of an elephant.
The globule is a condensation of dense gas and dust that is being compressed by the intense radiation and stellar winds from the very bright, massive star HD 206267. The compression of the gas in the globule is triggering the formation of stars within it.
The stellar winds from the massive star are also responsible for sculpting and eroding the filaments of the globule. These winds produce a dense circular rim making up the “head” of the globule and a swept-back tail of gas.
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