HD 239710

The heavy, blue variable protostar HD 239710 illuminates a beautiful reflection nebula with the name Elephant Trunk. This is part of the larger star forming region IC 1396. The star will still shrink and thereby become hotter. Probably some time in the future it will shine as a bright O star, like its neighbor HD 206267A.

Constellation: Cepheus
Distance: 2450 light-years
Spectral class: B3
Visual magnitude: 9.48

Back: List of big and giant stars part 2

Photo: Arne Henden (US Naval Observatory, Flagstaff)
Image Processed by Al Kelly

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