The Witch's Broom Nebula



NGC 6960: The Witch's Broom Nebula

 This nebula is a reminent of a super nova explosion that occured roughly 10,000 years ago. This portion of the image, NGC 6960, is part of a bigger nebula called the Veil Nebula. The star exploded and interstellar shock wave plowed through space and excited interstellar material. The filaments have separated into atomic hydrogen (red) and oxygen (blue-green) gas. The complete supernova remnant lies about 1400 light-years away towards the constellation Cygnus. This huge nebula, about 35 light years in length, is a reminder of the death of a giant star.