The Elephant's Trunk Nebula in Cepheus

 Like an illustration in a galactic, Just So Story, The Elephant's Trunk Nebula winds through the emission nebula and young star cluster complex IC 1396, in the high and far off constellation of Cepheus.

Also known as vdW 142, the cosmic Elephant's Trunk is over 20 light years long. This detailed close up view was recorded through narrow band filters that transmits the light from ionized hydrogen and oxygen atom in the region. 

The resulting composite highlights the bright sweep - back ridges that outline pockets of cool interstellar dust and gas. Such embedded dark, tendrils - shaped clouds contains the raw material for star formation and hide protostars within. 

Nearly 3,000 light years distant, the relatively faint IC 1396 complex covers a large region on the sky, spanning over 5 degrees. This dramatic scene spans 1 degree wide field of view though, about the size of 2 full moons.