High overhead in September at 9 PM is one of the most beautiful sections in  the sky: CYGNUS

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It earns the asterism called “Northern Cross”. The celestial splendors abound in that constellation.

Cygnus is located in an interesting area in the Milky Way, where the spiral arms of our galaxy divide into the “Great Rift”. (see image below).

Here a few of the objects to explore with your telescope:

 

The easy one is ALBERIO. A pretty double star with colors golden yellow and sapphire blue.

Low magnification enhances the contrast. Magnitudes 3.1 and 5.1, 390 light Years distant.

 

Veil Nebula is a supernova remnant. A beautiful view if you use extremely low magnification.

You will need a very dark sky and an OIII nebula filter to see the two parts of this loop.

One part is located where the 4th magnitude star 52 Cygni

 

North America Nebula is an emission nebula where stars are formed. This is best viewed with binoculars and in an extremely dark sky.

With a telescope, use very low magnification and a nebula filter to increase the contrast.

 

My photos were taken with a Canon Digital Camera and 35 mm lens, 5 minute exposure from Mount Pinos

The other photos were telescope images I’ve taken over the years….

 

Clear (and DARK) skies!

 

--Hal Jandorf