Towering in the constellation Cepheus, the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula is a dense concentration of gas and dust sculpted by stellar winds and radiation from nearby massive stars. Designated IC 1396A, this dark, sinuous formation is part of the much larger emission region IC 1396, located roughly 2,400 light-years from Earth. The nebula glows from ionized hydrogen illuminated by the star HD 206267, while young protostars still forming inside the cloud drive subtle outflows that shape its intricate structure.

This deep LRGB image, captured from Frosty Acres Ranch during the Golden State Star Party in California, reveals fine detail in the nebula’s dusty ridges and glowing pink edges. Star formation is active within the trunk, with Herbig-Haro objects and infrared sources nestled within the obscured regions. The contrast between the dark globule and its luminous surroundings makes this one of the most recognizable star-forming pillars in the night sky.