                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2023 August 17

                           A Cosmic Zoo in Cepheus
                    Image Credit & Copyright: Yann Sainty

   Explanation: Sprawling emission nebulae IC 1396 and Sh2-129 mix glowing
   interstellar gas and dark dust clouds in this nearly 12 degree wide
   field of view toward the northern constellation Cepheus the King.
   Energized by its central star IC 1396 (left), is hundreds of
   light-years across and some 3,000 light-years distant. The nebula's
   intriguing dark shapes include a winding dark cloud popularly known as
   the Elephant's Trunk below and right of center. Tens of light-years
   long, it holds the raw material for star formation and is known to hide
   protostars within. Located a similar distance from planet Earth, the
   bright knots and swept back ridges of emission of Sh2-129 on the right
   suggest its popular name, the Flying Bat Nebula. Within the Flying Bat,
   the most recently recognized addition to this royal cosmic zoo is the
   faint bluish emission from Ou4, the Giant Squid Nebula. Near the lower
   right edge of the frame, the suggestive dark marking on the sky
   cataloged as Barnard 150 is also known as the dark Seahorse Nebula.

          Notable submissions to APOD: Perseids Meteor Shower 2023
                     Tomorrow's picture: northern Pluto
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
                NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices
                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC
                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

