Explanation: How did this nebula get created? The
Cocoon Nebula, cataloged as
IC
5146, is a strikingly beautiful nebula located about 4,000
light years away toward the
constellation of
Cygnus.
Inside the Cocoon is a newly developing
open cluster of
stars. Like other
stellar nurseries, the Cocoon Nebula is, at the same time, an
emission nebula, a
reflection nebula, and an
absorption nebula.
Speculation based on recent measurements holds that the massive
star in the center opened a hole in an existing
molecular
cloud through which much of the glowing material flows. The same
star, which formed about 100,000 years ago, now provides the energy
source for much of the emitted and reflected light from this nebula.