Emission Nebula in Cygnus

October 05, 2007

Ngc6914_epod

Referred by: Greg Parker, University of Southampton, U.K.; Noel Carboni
Summary authors & editors: Greg Parker

The constellation of Cygnus the Swan, also referred to as the Northern Cross, is now nearly overhead for viewers in the Northern Hemisphere around 8:00 p.m. The stars composing Cygnus reside along the spine of our galaxy -- the Milky Way. Surrounding the central star in Cygnus, Sadr (upper left center), is the massive emission nebula IC1318 (in red), also called the Gamma Cygni nebulosity. A sea of just the color red can be boring to the eye, but here notable blue gems, including the reflection nebula NGC6914, add substantially to the beauty of this image.

Related Links: