The Western Veil Nebula (NGC 6960), also known as the Witch’s Broom Nebula, is part of the larger Veil Nebula, a remnant of a supernova explosion that occurred around 8,000 years ago. Located in the constellation Cygnus, it lies about 2,100 light-years away from Earth.
The Western Veil Nebula is characterized by long, wispy filaments of glowing gas, particularly hydrogen and oxygen, which appear in striking red and blue hues in astrophotography. These filaments are the remnants of the massive star's outer layers that were blown apart during the supernova explosion. The nebula spans about 35 light-years, and the shockwave from the explosion continues to heat and ionize the surrounding gas, creating the luminous filaments.
The bright star 52 Cygni is visually close to the nebula, though it is not physically connected to it.
The Western Veil is one of the most beautiful and detailed parts of the larger Veil Nebula complex, which is a popular target for both professional and amateur astronomers.
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