description NGC 6979 Overview
NGC 6979 is a portion of the Veil Nebula, a large supernova remnant located in the constellation Cygnus. The Veil Nebula is the visible portion of the Cygnus Loop, which was created by the explosion of a massive star thousands of years ago. NGC 6979 appears as a filamentary structure of glowing gas, primarily hydrogen and oxygen, that forms part of the complex network of filaments comprising the larger nebula. Astronomers study this object to better understand the physics of supernova explosions and the processes by which stellar material is recycled into the interstellar medium, eventually forming new stars and planetary systems.
help NGC 6979 FAQ
What exactly is NGC 6979 in the night sky?
NGC 6979 is a filamentary portion of the Veil Nebula, which is the visible section of the massive Cygnus Loop supernova remnant. It is located in the constellation Cygnus and represents the glowing debris cloud left behind by a dying massive star.
How old is the supernova that created NGC 6979?
The massive star that created the Cygnus Loop exploded roughly 8,000 years ago. The light from this violent event finally reached Earth several thousand years ago, spreading out to form the delicate filaments we see today.
Do I need a special telescope to see Pickering's Triangle and NGC 6979?
Yes, NGC 6979 is notoriously faint and difficult to observe visually without specialized equipment. To spot its gaseous filaments, astrophotographers typically use a large-aperture telescope combined with an OIII (doubly ionized oxygen) narrowband filter.
Where is the Veil Nebula located in space?
The Veil Nebula sits roughly 2,400 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Cygnus. The entire Cygnus Loop structure spans an immense physical distance of nearly 110 light-years across.
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