IC 5146 - Cocoon Nebula

IC 5146, also Caldwell 19, and the Sh 2-125, Cocoon Nebula, is a reflection/emission nebula and Caldwell object in the constellation Cygnus. IC 5146 is a star cluster and the nebula is Sh2-125.

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 12 arcmins across, which is equivalent to a span of 15 light years.

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.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: HEQ5 Pro
Camera: QHY8
Filter: IDAS LPS
Guidescope: Skywatcher 70/500mm
Guide with LVI SmartGuider
Exp. Time: 2 hours, bin 1x1
Calibration Frames: 30 flat, 50 bias
Capture: Nebulosity 2.2.5
Stack: Nebulosity 2.2.5
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 13 Jul 2010
Location: Tiros Arkadias, GR

IC 5146 - Cocoon Nebula Wiki