NGC 6946 (Fireworks)

Object Type: Spiral Galaxy
Scope: C-9.25"; Exposure 95 minutes.

NGC 6946 (the Fireworks Galaxy, Arp 29, Caldwell 12) is an intermediate spiral galaxy about 22 million light-years away, straddling the border of Cepheus and Cygnus. William Herschel discovered it in 1798. Its nickname comes from an extraordinary supernova record: at least ten supernovae have been seen in it over the past century, far more than in a typical galaxy, making it one of the most prolific supernova factories known. Because it sits close to the plane of the Milky Way, its light is noticeably dimmed by intervening interstellar dust.