The Veil Nebula (in the constellation of Cygnus) is one of the most beautiful objects in the night sky. The Nebula is actually expanding debris from the supernova explosion over 5000 years ago. The Nebula is approximately 1,500 light-years away.

The picture shows the fine colored wisps of gas which are filaments of shocked interstellar gas along the shockwave of the expanding supernova remnants. As the expanding supernova material smashes into the gas, the gas glows and forms the visible wisps of this image. The expanding material hits the gas at a speed of more than 600,000 kilometers per hour.

It takes a telescope of at least moderate aperature to see much detail. An OIII or UHC filter will increase the contrast for visual observing.

This image was acquired at the 2008 Texas Star Party with my C11/Hyperstar. 45 2-minute subs were stacked with Nebulosity then processed with Photoshop.

Enchanted Skies - Astrophotography by Rich Richins (all images copyright, Rich Richins)