The Cocoon Nebula is an illuminated cloud of gas and dust
that includes all three types of nebulae: emission (red),
reflection (blue), and absorption (black/brown). The Cocoon
is in fact just the end of a longer dark nebula that stretches
to the left, far beyond the edge of this image. It is illuminated
by the radiation from the bright star at its center.

Image data:
Camera: Canon 350 XT (modified)
Exposure: 5 minutes x 35
Telescope: 10" Schmidt-Newtonian, Baader MPCC