DMI image reference Cyg_1. « Previous || Next » Constellations A » H || Constellations I » V
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Image and text ©2008 Akira Fujii/David Malin Images.
In the picture above, north is at the top and the image covers 41.8 x 52.2 degrees.
Image centre is located at 20:29:22.6, +36:29:33 (H:M:S, D:M:S, J2000) Astrometric data from Astrometry.net.
Best seen in the early evening in September
Cygnus (the Swan), is clearly the bird flying along the northern Milky Way. Many legends refer to this distinctive constellation, including that of Zeus who disguised himself as a swan while visiting Leda, wife of the King of Sparta. This union resulted in Pollux, one of the heavenly twins. Arabic legends see here the more prosaic outline of a flying hen in this part of the sky. There is more detailed image of (most of) Cygnus here.
Because Cygnus is in the Milky Way, it is rich in Galactic objects that are visible in binoculars and modest telesecopes, notable are the enormous North America Nebula (NCG 7000) and the faint shreds of the Veil nebula, a supenova remnant that covers a patch of sky five times larger than the full Moon. Telescope images of this are shown below.
Vulpecula (the Fox) is a faint constellation created by Johannes Hevelius, who called it Vulpecula cum Anser, the Fox and Goose. Anser is the only named star in an otherwise undistinguished part of the sky. A more complete version of the constellation outline is here.
Named stars in Cygnus and Vulpecula: (Greek alphabet)
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Albireo (β1 Cyg), Anser (α Vul), Azelfafage (π1 Cyg), Deneb (α Cyg), Gienah (ε Cyg), Ruc (δ Cyg), Sadr (γ Cyg).
Constellations adjoining Cygnus: Cephus, Draco, Lacerta, Lyra, Pegasus, Vulpecula.
Constellations adjoining Vulpecula: Cygnus, Delphinus, Hercules, Pegasus, Sagitta.
Related images (other sources -- see under 'Related Images' on pages below)
INT 8. IC 1340, part of the Veil nebula in Cygnus
INT 7. NGC 6995 and IC 1340, the Veil nebula in Cygnus
INT 11. M27, NGC 6853, the Dumbbell nebula in Vulpecula