Characteristics:
Magnitude: 7.2
Size: about 12'
Distance: 4,000 light years
RA: 21h 53m 24s
Dec: 47 degrees 16' 00"
Description:
The Cocoon Nebula floats like an island within a sea of dark clouds. It is a star forming region that contains three of the major types of nebulosities: emission, reflection, and absorption. These three types of gas clouds are responsible for the red, blue, and black regions shown above. The large central star within the Cocoon has blown a hole in the nebula and is likely responsible for exciting the surrounding hydrogen to emit in Ha light.
