Here’s one fact that all those NASA haters out there need to learn how to deal with: the space agency never stops exploring the Cosmos. Even the highly-praised James Webb Space Telescope is operated by NASA, collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA).
In other words, NASA continues to look deep into the heavens with all its fancy toys, and this time the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula is under the spotlight. The American space agency has captured a mesmerizing photo of the cosmic structure, and you are free to admire it below in all its glory:
NASA's view of Elephant's Trunk and Caravan | 2023-06-08: Like an illustration in a galactic Just So Story, the Elephant's Trunk Nebula winds through the emission region and young star cluster complex IC 1396, in the high and far off… | *not EUT https://t.co/6m6hYRFdY3 pic.twitter.com/bOvOF1YzDt
— Electric Universe (@Elec_Universe) June 8, 2023
NASA didn’t hesitate to provide an explanation for the new photo:
Like an illustration in a galactic Just So Story, the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula winds through the emission region and young star cluster complex IC 1396, in the high and far off constellation of Cepheus. Seen on the left the cosmic elephant’s trunk, also known as vdB 142, is over 20 light-years long. This detailed telescopic view features the bright swept-back ridges and pockets of cool interstellar dust and gas that abound in the region. But the dark, tendril-shaped clouds contain the raw material for star formation and hide protostars within.
Cepheus, which is an ethereal formation residing in the distant realm of the northern heavens, bears the regal moniker of its mythological counterpart, the sovereign ruler of Aethiopia in ancient Greek lore. Recognized as an esteemed member within the compendium of celestial configurations compiled by the erudite astronomer Ptolemy during the bygone second century, Cepheus endures as an enduring luminary tapestry, etched among the revered ensemble of 88 constellations in contemporary celestial discourse.
Ptolemy, also known as Claudius Ptolemaeus, was an influential Greek-Egyptian astronomer, geographer, and mathematician who lived during the second century AD. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the fields of astronomy and geography, particularly for his works “Almagest” and “Geography.”
