This region lies to the southwest of the bright 2nd magnitude star γ Cygni (Sadr), which is visible near the top left corner of the image. The numerous nebulae captured in this image are situated approximately 1,800 light years away from Earth. Dark nebulae B 343 and B 344 are noted in the Barnard Catalogue of Dark Markings in the Sky, vdB 130 in the van den Bergh Catalogue of Reflection Nebulae, while LBN and LDN refer to Lynds' Catalogue of Bright Nebulae and Lynds' Catalogue of Dark Nebulae respectively.
vdB 130 is a reflection nebula associated with a young open cluster in the constellation of Cygnus. It appears to be illuminated by the star HD 228789, which is a component of the cluster. This cluster itself is believed to be physically linked to the Cyg OB1 superbubble. The Cyg OB1 superbubble is an elongated structure created by the stellar winds of several supernovae which is best defined in the infrared.
GM 2-39 is a reflection nebula spanning approximately 1 arcminute. A collection of comet-shaped globules (dark nebulae with a dense central dust head, often encircled by a luminous halo, and a trailing dust tail) is observable in this area. It is hypothesized that the ionizing radiation and stellar winds from members of the Cyg OB1 superbubble contribute to the formation of these globules.
At the upper portion of the image lies Barnard 344, a dust cloud composed of cold molecular gas, prominently visible against the backdrop of emission nebulosity as meandering dark cloud.
Barnard 343, also known as LDN 877, near the upper right corner of the image, is a dark nebula of high opacity. Star formation probably takes place within this particularly dense dark nebula. Barnard describes the photographic appearance as a sharply defined black spot, 13' long and stretched southeast-northwest.
van den Bergh 130 and Environment, which this image is part of.
Exposure Data
