Cederblad 214 (Sharpless 171) - Emission Nebula in Cepheus
 

Copyright 2010 Hap Griffin

 

Cederblad 214 (or alternately known in other catalogs as Sharpless 171) is a large emission nebula in the constellation of Cepheus.  Prominently visible are a number of bright rimmed globules undergoing a process called photoevaporation, whereby radiation from nearby stars is eroding the light gaseous elements away, leaving heavier and darker dust clouds.  The compression and evolution of these globules leads to star formation.  Our own sun and solar system was likely formed in a similar manner from the remnants of earlier generations of stars that gave up the heavier elements that they had synthesized during their lifetimes when they ended their existence in supernova explosions.   

CED 214 lies at a distance of approximately 2750 light-years. 

This image was captured through a narrowband filter admitting only a narrow slice of spectrum around the wavelength of glowing hydrogen.  Thus it is a monochrome (single color) image displayed as shades of grey.