IC 1396 – Elephant’s Trunk Nebula

IC 1396 and the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula Wide Field Complex

Astrophotographer: Richard Harris

Object: IC 1396, Sh2 131, IC 1396A Elephant’s Trunk Nebula, vdB 142, Trumpler 37, HD 206267, Mu Cephei, surrounding bright rimmed clouds, and dark nebulae
Date: July 21st, 2026
Location: Strafford, Missouri, USA
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 with 0.72× 645 Reducer (380mm, f/3.6)
Mount: ZWO AM7 harmonic drive mount
Camera: ZWO ASI461MM Pro medium format monochrome camera, Gain 0
Filters: Chroma RGB and 3nm SHO filters
Guide Scope: William Optics 50mm
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI290MM Mini
Guiding: Approximately 0.28–0.50 arcseconds RMS
Controller: ZWO ASIAIR
Pier: Astro TUFF TRUK Pier
Acquisition:
Sulfur II: 60 frames at 300 seconds = 5 hours
Hydrogen alpha: 60 frames at 300 seconds = 5 hours
Oxygen III: 60 frames at 300 seconds = 5 hours
RGB integration: 2 hours
Total Acquisition Time: 17 hours
Calibration Frames: None
Processing: PixInsight and Photoshop using a hybrid RGB, SHO, and Foraxx style palette

Bortle Class Skies: 3 - 4

Full high res version available here: https://ozarkhillsobservatory.com/ic-1396--elephants-trunk-nebula-revealing-what-is-really-there/