NASA News · September 21, 2026
APOD: 2026 September 21 – Cocoon Nebula Wide Field
Where it is in your sky
- Object
- IC 5146 · Cocoon Nebula · Cluster with nebula
- Constellation
- Cygnus
- Best seen
- Evenings from June to October; highest at midnight in August
- Climbs above 20°
- From 23° S to the North Pole
- Never rises
- South of 43° S
- What you need
- Binoculars
Tonight from your location
From the source
When does a nebula look like a comet? In this crowded starfield covering over two degrees within the high-flying constellation of the Swan (Cygnus), the eye is drawn to the Cocoon Nebula. A compact star forming region, the cosmic Cocoon punctuates a nebula bright in emission and reflection on the lower right, with a long trail of interstellar dust clouds to the left, making the entire complex appear a bit like a comet. Cataloged as IC 5146, the central bright head of the nebula spans about 10 light years, while the dark dusty tail spans nearly 100 light years. Both are located about 2,500 light years away. A bright star near the colorful nebula’s center likely supplies power and helps clear out a cavity. The long dusty filaments of the tail, although dark in this visible light image, hide stars in the process of formation. The featured image was captured in July from Death Valley, California, USA.
APOD’s main NASA site is moving: From apod.nasa.gov to science.nasa.gov/apod Tomorrow’s picture: triple eclipse
From NASA News.
