Veil Nebula NGC 6960

Astrophotography by David Gares

Veil Nebula NGC 6960

The east and west veil nebulae are remnants of a supernova explosion that occurred long ago, perhaps 10,000 years or more according to some sources. The photo below is of the western veil, sometimes called the Witch's Broom nebula but officially known as NGC 6960. The portion shown has been called the Basket Weave Nebula. It's a small piece of a faint object three times the apparent size of the full moon. It's very difficult to capture something so faint in the city, but I tried nevertheless.

Western Veil Nebula NGC 6960
(Click image to enlarge)

Object Details:

Type:  Supernova Remnant
Constellation:  Cygnus
Distance: 1400 light-years
Appx. Size: 30 light-years long

Image Details:

Date: Aug. 14, 2004
Site: Harahan, LA
Exposure: CCD, 10 x 5 min.
Filters: Orion SkyGlow LPR
Processing: MSB Astroart 3.0
Telescope: 10" Meade LX200
Reducer: Meade f/4.3
CCD: Starlight Express MX7C
Autoguider: S.T.A.R. 2000