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IC-5146 / Cocoon Nebula

Classification: Reflection / Emission Nebula IC5146, C-19, Sh2-125, B168
Constellation: Cygnus (CYG)
Object Location: Ra 21h 54m 03s Dec +47° 20’34” (current)
Size & Distance: 10.0 x 10.0 Apx 3300 light years

Date & Location: 10-21/22-2019 Joshua Tree National Park, CA.
Exposure: HaLRGB, 120, 210, 70, 70, 70, Ha=8x15, L=14x15 RGB 4ea x10 +2 ea. x15 (bin 1x1)
Optics: Telescope Engineering Company APO180FL w/TEC FF@ f/7.2 / FLI-Atlas focuser / F/L 1296mm.
Mount: Astro-Physics 1200 GTOCP4 / ATS 10x36 pier.
Camera: FLI-PL16803 @-25c / FLI CFW5-7 / Guided by SBIG ST-I / w OAG.
Filters: Astrodon G2 Ha 3nm, LRGB
Software: MaxImDL 6.11, Photoshop CC, CCDStack, Topaz Studio.

Notes: Sky conditions: Good seeing, Light wind, Temp low 60’s
Image Field of view is 90 x 90 arcmin. Image Scale 1.43 arcsec/pix.
This image was reprocessed in 2023
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IC 5146 (also Caldwell 19, Sh 2-125) The Cocoon Nebula is a reflection/emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus. The NGC description refers to IC 5146 as a open cluster and a bright and dark nebula. The cluster is also known as Collinder 470. 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.