Key Takeaways:
- The Veil Nebula is an extensive nebulous region in the constellation Cygnus, measuring 3 degrees across, recognized by various names including the Cygnus Loop and the Witch’s Broom.
- Composed of multiple distinct segments, the nebula includes cataloged regions such as the Eastern Veil Nebula (Caldwell 33; NGC 6992/6995) and the Western Veil Nebula (Caldwell 34; NGC 6990).
- Astrophysically, the Veil Nebula is a supernova remnant, resulting from a supergiant star's explosion over 15,000 years ago, an event that would have been exceptionally bright from Earth.
- Prominent observable features within the nebula include the Witch’s Broom (NGC 6960), the Network Nebula (NGC 6992+5), and Pickering’s Triangle (NGC 6979), the latter discovered by Williamina Fleming, with optimal observation often involving an Oxygen-III nebula filter.
When we target objects in the constellation Cygnus the Swan, one of the first that observers go to is the North America Nebula (NGC 6000), and then they head right next door to the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070). But there’s another, equally fascinating nebulous region that covers even more area in the Swan: the Veil Nebula. It measures 3° across.
Regions within the Veil carry a variety of names. You may have (or have not) heard of the Bridal Veil, the Cygnus Loop, the Filamentary Nebula, the Netword Nebula, and the Witch’s Broom. Also, Sir Patrick Moore put two of the regions on his Caldwell list. Caldwell 33, also called the Eastern Veil Nebula, is NGC 6992 and NGC 6995. Caldwell 34, better known as the Western Veil Nebula, is NGC 6990.
More than 15,000 years ago, this nebulous region belonged to a supergiant star getting ready to blow itself to bits. When it exploded as a supernova, from Earth the star would have shone brighter than the crescent Moon and would have been visible in daylight. Unfortunately, there’s no record of anyone seeing it.
Each part is worth observing
The easiest segment to see is the Witch’s Broom (NGC 6960). It wends its way past the star 52 Cygni, which shines at magnitude 4.2. The star is a foreground object, so it’s not connected to the Veil. NGC 6960 tapers to a sharp point at the north end of a degree-long glowing strip. As it broadens to the south and passes 52 Cyg, a dark lane splits the nebulosity.
Another bright segment, the Network Nebula (NGC 6992+5), lies 2.7° northeast of 52 Cyg. At medium magnification (around 100x), the nebula breaks into numerous strands, thus its common name.
You’ll find more to look at between the northern ends of the Veil’s two main sections. Look for NGC 6979, the northernmost triangular bright patch. American astronomer Williamina Fleming discovered this nebulous region in 1904 while working at Harvard Observatory. She named it Pickering’s Triangle in honor of the observatory’s director, Edward Charles Pickering. It also goes by Pickering’s Wedge and Fleming’s Wisp.
For best results when observing the Veil Nebula, find a dark site and on a moonless night use an 8-inch or larger telescope and your eyepiece that gives the lowest magnification. Insert a nebula filter (an Oxygen-III works best) and either disconnect the scope’s drive (so you can move it freely) or set your motor speed relatively high, and scan around this area. Take your time. There’s a lot to see.
So, go out some night soon and, with a nebula filter in place, start by pointing your scope at 52 Cygni. I think you’ll quickly realize that the Veil Nebula is well worth your time. Good luck!
