NGC 6992: The Veil Nebula

Click on image for larger version.

These filaments of gas are a portion of a much larger bubble of expanding material generated by the explosion of a massive star. This portion of the complex is often called the "Network Nebula." At an estimated distance of 2600 light years, its large angular extent on the sky indicates that it is an old remnant. By measuring both the size of the bubble and the velocity of the expanding gas, astronomers estimate that this spectacular explosion took place more than 15,000 years ago. A much younger example is the Crab Nebula.

LARGE FILES
Image Size = 2000 x 3000 (2.3 Megs) This is the same as clicking on the image to the left.

Image Size = 7000 x 10000 (12 Megs)

Please also visit this wide field image of the region.

Equipment

20in RC Optical Systems telescope Operating at f/8.4
Paramount ME Robotic Telescope Mount
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = 50 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 10 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 10 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 10 minutes binned 2x2
  • The Exposure times above refer to each of the 9 frames that make up this mosaic. This works out to be 12 hours of exposure time invested in this project.
  • Most of the 20in RC data shows details that are equal to or less than 2 arcseconds. (One frame nearly equalled 1")
  • The spectacular background image was graciously offered by Mike Cook. Please click HERE to see his original image.
  • When zoomed out, it is difficult to see how the hi-resolution image overlaps (overlays) the background image. However, once the larger images are viewed this becomes obvious. I chose not to try and blend the two images as they are sufficiently different that the combination would be a detriment to both.
  • One iteration of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp was applied to the luminance images.

    • Credits: Adam Block
    Jeff and Mike Stuffings
    Brad Ehrhorn
    Burt May
    Jennifer and Louis Goldring
    /NOAO/AURA/NSF
    Mike Cook (background image)

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    Updated: 7/22/2003