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The Veil Nebula (West)

 

Object Type: Supernova Remnant
Scope: Orion APO 80mm
Exposure 144 minutes

 

 

The western part of the Veil Nebula, is a relatively faint supernova remnant in the constellation Cygnus. 

 

The source supernova exploded some 5,000 to 8,000 years ago, and the remnants have since expanded to cover an area of ~3x3 degrees; about 6 times the diameter or 36 times the area of a full moon. The distance to the nebula is not precisely known, with estimates ranging from 1,400 to 2,600 light-years.

 

It was discovered on 1784 September 5 by William Herschel. 

He described the western end of the nebula as "Extended; passes thro' 52 Cygni... near 2 degree in length." and described the eastern end as "Branching nebulosity... The following part divides into several streams uniting again towards the south."

The western part of the Veil Nebula, is a relatively faint supernova remnant in the constellation Cygnus.  The source supernova exploded some 5,000 to 8,000 years ago, and the remnants have since expanded to cover an area of ~3x3 degrees; about 6 times the diameter or 36 times the area of a full moon. The distance to the nebula is not precisely known, with estimates ranging from 1,400 to 2,600 light-years.
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