C34 · Western Veil Nebula
| Chinese name | 西面纱星云 |
|---|---|
| Type | Supernova remnant |
| Constellation | Cyg |
| RA | 20h46m |
| Dec | +30° |
| Apparent magnitude | 7ᵐ |
| Hemisphere | Northern |
| Best season | Summer |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Focal length | 中焦 400–800mm |
About
The Western Veil Nebula (NGC 6960) is the western half of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant, lying about 2,400 light-years away in Cygnus. Because it passes across the bright foreground star 52 Cygni and resembles a broom, it is also called the Witch's Broom Nebula. Like the Eastern Veil, it is the remnant of a massive star that exploded roughly 10,000–20,000 years ago, its expanding shock wave excited as it collides with the interstellar medium to glow in interwoven red hydrogen (H-alpha) and cyan oxygen (O III) filaments. The whole Cygnus Loop spans about 3° (some six Moon-widths), faint but exquisitely structured. It is a wide-field narrowband masterpiece, suiting a medium focal length with dual-narrowband filters.