NGC 6960,6992,6995 (The Veil Nebula, Cygnus Loop)

Constellation: Cygnus

Distance: 1500 Light Years

The Veil Nebula is composed of gas expelled by a supernova in our own galaxy (a rare event) that occurred 10,000 years ago. The expanding gases are colliding with hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur gases that had been previoiusly expelled by the dying star. The energized gases release energy in different wavelengths, including red (hydrogen) and teal (oxygen). The entire Veil nebula spans about 80 light years. The above image is a closeup of the western arc, NGC 6960, sometimes called the "Witch's Broom"; the bright star is an unrelated foreground star. The older images below show larger segments, with the 2005 and 2006 images showing the entire nebula; NGC 6992 and 6995 make up the eastern front of the expanding shock wave. Over thousands of years, the remains of the supernova will dissipate, returning heavier elements like gold, calcium, and iron, to the interstellar medium. (Information from A Year in the Life of the Universe by Robert Gendler, and The 100 Best Astrophotography Targets by Ruben Kier).