The Chandra team has unveiled a stunning new composite image of the Cocoon Nebula, a fascinating reflection and emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus. This image artfully combines high-energy X-rays with optical and infrared light, showcasing a vibrant population of newborn stars emerging from the surrounding clouds of dust and gas.

The Cocoon Nebula is located approximately 2,650 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.

This nebula, also known as IC 5146 or Colinder 470, spans 15 light-years across.

The object was first discovered by American astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard on October 11, 1893.

Chandra astronomers noted, “This image depicts the Cocoon Nebula as a vibrant, glowing heart-shaped cloud amidst a backdrop of millions of stars in the Milky Way.”

“The core of this nebula features warm reds, oranges, and golds, forming a luminous cocoon of gas and dust, with soft, uneven edges that gradually fade into the surrounding darkness.”

“Within this illuminated cloud lies a multitude of young stars, some visible as bright white or bluish dots, while others remain hidden or only detectable through X-ray light captured by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.”

“These X-rays trace a population of newly formed, highly active stars clustered near the center of the nebula,” the researchers explained.

“The heart-shaped nebula glows from a combination of light emitted by these young stars and starlight reflected by the surrounding dust.”

“Optical data from two astrophotographers, along with infrared observations from NASA’s Wide Field Infrared Surveyor (WISE), add depth and texture, unveiling a shimmering starry landscape and the dense, dusty regions where new stars are continuously forming.”