IC1396 - Large emission nebula in Cepheus

IC 1396 is a large and comparatively faint emission nebula and star forming region over 100 light-years across in the constellation Cepheus. It is energised by the bright central triple star system called HD 206267.  All three components are massive stars and the intense ultraviolet radiation they give off ionizes the gas of IC 1396 causing compression of the denser globules of the nebula leading to star formation.  Among the intriguing dark shapes within IC 1396 is the dense globule of gas and dust known as the Elephant’s Trunk nebula (IC 1396A) located in the upper central part of the image.  The image shows emission in the Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) line at 656nm.

This is a first light image from my new wide field imaging system based on the Telescope Service Photoline TS60ED refractor.  This has a 60mm apochromatic doublet lens with a FPL53 element by Ohara (Japan).   I am using the TS Photoline 4-element 2 inch 0.79x reducer to decrease the focal length from 330mm to 260mm which increases the focal ratio from F/5.5 to an impressive F/4.4 for imaging.

Right ascension: 21h 39m 55.3s | Declination: +57° 36' 48.8" | Distance: 2,400 Light Years
Field of view: 234 x 176 arcmin

Camera: QSI 583wsg
Optics: TS Photoline TS60ED F/4.4 APO
Guiding: Off-axis with Lodestar guider
Filters: Baader Ha (7nm)
Exposures: Ha 6 x 20 min
Total exposure: 2 hours
Image composition: Monochrome Ha
Scale: 4.2 arcsec/pixel
Image acquired: 17th July 2015

Image capture with MaxIm DL, FocusMax, ACP; Image processed with MaxIm DL and Photoshop CC 2014 [Astronomy Tools v1.6; HDR Toning]