Elephant’s Trunk Nebula
Emission nebula

Elephant’s Trunk Nebula

IC 1396 · Cepheus
These photons are ~2,400 years old
LP
Date
2025-09-20
Location
36.3860° N, 28.0410° E
Integration
0m (1 × 10s)
Software
ZWO Seestar app
Notes
—
Plate solve
Centre RA
21h 37m 22.0s
Centre Dec
+57° 31′ 39″
Field
42.7′ × 76.0′
Pixel scale
2.37″/px
Orientation
51.0° E of N
TelescopeZWO Seestar S50
CameraZWO Seestar S50 Camera
RigFamily Holiday Rig
Captured from · Ελλάς
36.3860° N, 28.0410° E · open map ↗

Where to find it

Interactive sky chart centred on 21 37 22.0 +57 31 39, with constellation stick figures overlaid. Locate shows the whole constellation with the target ringed; Field zooms to the close-up. Drag to pan, scroll to zoom, click any star to identify it. Imagery: DSS colour survey via CDS Aladin Lite. Constellation figures © Dominic Ford (GPLv3).

A vast emission nebula associated with the star cluster Trumpler 37, dominated by the dark comet-shaped globule IC 1396A — the Elephant’s Trunk. The globule is a site of triggered star formation at its head. One of the best narrowband targets in the autumn sky.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of object is IC 1396?
IC 1396 is an emission nebula.
Which constellation is IC 1396 in?
IC 1396 lies in the constellation Cepheus.
How far away is IC 1396?
The light in this image left IC 1396 roughly ~2,400 years ago, so that is how far back in time you are seeing it.
What are the coordinates of IC 1396?
IC 1396 sits at right ascension 21h 37m 22s and declination +57° 31′ 39″ (J2000).
When is the best time to photograph IC 1396?
IC 1396 is circumpolar from around 54°N — it never sets, and rides highest (about 86° altitude) on evenings around August.
What equipment was used to photograph IC 1396?
This image of IC 1396 was captured with ZWO Seestar S50 and ZWO Seestar S50 Camera.
How much exposure time went into this image?
This image of IC 1396 represents 0m (1 × 10s) of total integration time.