Interstellar Twister
November 22, 2010
Photographer: John Chumack; John’s website
Summary Author: John Chumack
The image above shows a close up of the striking Veil Nebula (NGC-6960), in the Constellation of Cygnus, as viewed from my observatory in Yellow Springs, Ohio on the night of September 14, 2010. Because the spiral filaments remind me of a tornado, I’ve dubbed this the “Interstellar Twister.” The Veil Nebula is the remnant of a supernova that occurred at least 5,000 years ago. Thin ribbons of material are observed expanding through space from the initial blast shock wave of the supernova explosion. 52 Cygni is the bright star at top. The Veil Nebula is definitely one of the most beautiful objects in the night sky.
Photo details: Homemade 16 inch diameter Fork-Mounted Newtonian Telescope; QHY8 CCD single shot color camera; 120 minute exposure.