NASA · Space

Cocoon Nebula Wide Field

The Cocoon Nebula, also known as IC 5146, is a star-forming region that resembles a comet in a wide-field image. It is located in the constellation Cygnus, approximately 2,500 light-years away.

The nebula features a bright, compact head about 10 light-years across, which is illuminated by emission and reflection. This head is connected to a long, dusty tail extending nearly 100 light-years, composed of interstellar dust clouds.

A bright star near the nebula's center is believed to be the power source, clearing out a cavity. The dark filaments of the tail, though appearing dark in visible light, conceal stars that are in the process of formation.

The image was captured in July from Death Valley, California. APOD's main NASA site is relocating from apod.nasa.gov to science.nasa.gov/apod.

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