The heart of IC 1396: the Elephant’s Trunk + Gaëtan Maxant + RGB SHO3nm

The heart of IC 1396: the Elephant’s Trunk

Credit: Gaëtan Maxant

Filters: Optolong RGB and SHO3nm narrow band filters

 

 

 

The heart of IC 1396: the Elephant’s Trunk 

With a total exposure time of 26 hours and 49 minutes between 16 and 24 June, it’s been a long time since I processed images so quickly after finishing the exposures.

The Pillars of IC 1396 – A stellar nursery sculpted by light
This image is a close-up taken at the heart of IC 1396, a vast star-forming region located some 2,400 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus.
This image reveals the striking contrast between the dark clouds of cold dust and the ionised gas surrounding them, bearing witness to a constant balance between creation and destruction: the radiation from stars that have already formed gradually disperses the material, whilst at times triggering the birth of new generations of stars.
Every detail visible here represents a phenomenon unfolding over millions of years, in a region of our galaxy where stellar evolution is still in full swing.

 

 

 

 

Imaging Equipment: 
Gallifrey Optics CDK 400mm F/7 telescope 
ZWO ASI6200MM Pro imaging cameras
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro mounts 
Optolong RGB and SHO3nm 2" Filters
Accessories: PrimaLuceLab SESTO SENSO 2 · ZWO EFW 7 x 2″  · ZWO OAG M68 
Dates:
16–18 June 2026
21–24 June 2026

Hope you like it.