                        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.

                                2021 July 23

                          Elephant, Bat, and Squid
                   Image Credit & Copyright: Patrick Hsieh

   Explanation: Sprawling emission nebulae IC 1396 and Sh2-129 mix glowing
   interstellar gas and dark dust clouds in this 10 degree wide field of
   view toward the northern constellation Cepheus the King. Energized by
   its bluish 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 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.

                  Tomorrow's picture: at the edge of space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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