NGC 6992: Veil Nebula Wide-field

These filaments of gas are a portion of a much larger bubble of expanding material generated by the explosion of a massive star. At an estimated distance of 2600 light years, this nebula's 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.

This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.