Two Views of the Veil Nebula
Two Views of the Veil Nebula
Current Astro Targets and Project
Both versions of the Veil Nebula were created as 4-panel mosaics, with each panel captured using 40 minutes of exposure time through Hα (Hydrogen-Alpha), OIII (Oxygen-III), and SII (Sulphur-II) filters. These are part of what’s known as narrowband imaging, a technique that isolates very specific wavelengths of light emitted by different elements in space. By doing so, it allows astrophotographers to cut through light pollution and moonlight while highlighting the nebula’s chemical makeup in striking detail. The data was collected with a QHY294M mono camera paired with a William Optics 80mm refractor telescope, a combination that provides both high sensitivity and sharp resolution. By stitching the panels together into a mosaic, the full sweep of this vast supernova remnant can be revealed in all its intricate structure.
Forax Palette
The Veil Nebula in the Forax colour palette reveals a haunting, almost ethereal web of gas and dust. This palette enhances subtle contrasts, drawing out the intricate wisps that sweep across space like cosmic brushstrokes. What we’re seeing are the remnants of a massive star that exploded roughly 8,000 years ago, its energy still rippling through the interstellar medium. At about 110 light-years wide and located 2,400 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus, the Veil is expanding at a staggering 1.5 million kilometres per hour. The Forax mapping really brings out the fine filaments, giving us a sense of just how delicate, yet vast, this supernova remnant truly is.
Hubble Palette (SHO)
In the Hubble palette, the Veil Nebula takes on an entirely different personality—bold, vivid, and structured. By assigning sulphur to red, hydrogen to green, and oxygen to blue, the SHO mapping creates a detailed chemical portrait of the nebula. This technique highlights the powerful shockwaves as they carve through the interstellar medium, showing glowing arcs where different elements collide and interact. The Veil isn’t just a pretty sight—it’s a living laboratory of astrophysics, helping astronomers study the long-term effects of stellar death. From its vibrant colours to its turbulent motion, the Hubble palette showcases the raw energy still locked inside this vast, expanding ghost of a star.
