description NGC 6960 Overview
NGC 6960 is a filamentary nebula in the constellation Cygnus, constituting the western arc of the larger Veil Nebula. It represents the visible remains of a supernova blast wave that exploded approximately 8,000 years ago. The nebula's filaments appear to cross the foreground star 52 Cygni, though the star itself is unrelated to the ancient explosion. It is a popular astrophotography target for amateur astronomers due to its intricate structure and the presence of emission lines from ionized oxygen and hydrogen.
insights Ranking position
NGC 6960 ranks #15 of 812 in the Nebula ranking, behind Cat's Eye Nebula, ahead of Horsehead Nebula.
help NGC 6960 FAQ
What is NGC 6960 commonly known as?
NGC 6960 represents the western arc of the Veil Nebula, which is a massive cloud of glowing gas located in the constellation Cygnus. Amateur astronomers often refer to this specific western section as the "Witch's Broom Nebula."
How was NGC 6960 formed?
This glowing, thread-like nebula was created by an ancient supernova blast wave that violently ripped through the region of space. The glowing filaments are literally the expanding shockwaves of a massive star that exploded thousands of years ago.
What is the foreground star located in NGC 6960?
The western arc of the Veil Nebula is visually striking because it appears to cross directly over the foreground star 52 Cygni. However, 52 Cygni is actually an unrelated, naked-eye star located within our own Milky Way galaxy, nowhere near the nebula itself.
How far away is NGC 6960 from Earth?
The Veil Nebula complex, including NGC 6960, is located approximately 1,470 light-years away from our solar system. The original supernova explosion that created the nebula is estimated to have occurred around 8,000 years ago.
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