The Veil Nebula (NGC-6960)

Around the fourth magnitude star 52 Cygni is NGC-6960 -- also known as the Veil Nebula, Filamentary Nebula, Cirrus Nebula, or Cygnus Loop. The other part is nearby 6992. The Veil is a long, thin fragmented ribbon of light: virtually impossible to see under all but the very best conditions. This is the remains of a star that exploded thousands of years ago. Use averted vision, and keep 52 just out of the field. 6960 is about a degree long if you follow it, but only a few minutes of arc in width, curving, and very ghostly. Rich region!

NGC: 6960
OTHER NAMES: Veil Nebula
CLASS: diffuse nebula
SIZE: 190' x 8'
DISTANCE: 1300 light years
POSITION: 20h 44m +30d 46'
CONSTELLATION: Cygnus
DATE OF SKETCH: 08/02/76
MAGNIFICATION USED: 40x,70x