The Western Veil Nebula, also known as the Witch’s Broom Nebula, is part of the larger Cygnus Loop complex. It consists of delicate filaments of ionized gas, primarily oxygen and hydrogen, created by the explosive death of a massive star around 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. The nebula’s distinctive broom-like shape is the result of shock waves from the supernova interacting with the surrounding interstellar medium. Astrophotographers often target this object due to its intricate structure and vibrant colors when captured through narrowband filters.
Names and Catalog numbers
- Western Veil Nebula
- Witch’s Broom Nebula
- Caldwell 34
- NGC 6960
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
The Western Veil Nebula is situated in the northern part of Cygnus, near the bright star 52 Cygni. It forms the western portion of the larger Cygnus Loop, which includes the Eastern Veil Nebula (NGC 6992/95) and Pickering’s Triangle (NGC 6979). This region is rich in nebulosity and star-forming regions, making it a popular target for astrophotographers exploring the Milky Way.
Nice to Know
- The Western Veil Nebula is only a small part of a much larger supernova remnant called the Cygnus Loop.
- The nebula’s distinctive filamentary structure is caused by the interaction of the supernova shock wave with the surrounding interstellar medium.
- Astrophotographers often use narrowband filters, particularly Ha and OIII, to capture the nebula’s intricate details and enhance its colors.
- The bright star 52 Cygni, often seen in images of the Western Veil, is actually a foreground star and not associated with the nebula itself.
Brightness, distance and size
The Western Veil Nebula has an apparent magnitude of approximately 7, making it challenging but possible to observe with binoculars under dark skies. Located about 1,470 light-years away, the entire Cygnus Loop spans roughly 110 light-years in diameter. The Western Veil Nebula itself covers an area of about 70 arcminutes on the sky, which is more than twice the apparent size of the full Moon.
