IC 1396A (Elephant's Trunk)

📍 Eugene, OR📅 Captured: 2026-07-03⏱️ Total Exposure: 12.5 Hours

🔭Imaging Equipment

Telescope / OpticsApertura Carbonstar 150

CameraZWO ASI1600MM Pro

Equatorial MountZWO AM5n

FiltersZWO RGB, ZWO Ha, ZWO Oiii

Guiding SetupZWO ASI120MM-Mini w/ an Orion Starshoot 50mm guide scope

📊Acquisition & Subframes

Light Frames Breakdown

ZWO RGB60 x 30s (Gain 139)

ZWO Ha (Narrowband)103 x 240s (Gain 139)

ZWO Oiii (Narrowband)63 x 240s (Gain 139)

Total Integration12.5 Hours

Gain / ISO OffsetGain 139

The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula is a concentration of interstellar dust and gas in the emission nebula IC 1396, located in the constellation Cepheus. It is so named because its dense, dark cloud of gas and dust resembles an elephant’s trunk.

Target Details & Notes

First complete shot using the new Carbonstar 150 scope. I want to reprocess this one and may do so in the future. I dont like how fat the stars are. I also don’t like the contrast of the nebula. Its a little too harsh for my tastes. This will be some good data to play around with in the winter months