The very beautiful Cygnus constellation It is quite easy to observe it in the summer because it very high up in the sky. Along it's length is one of the most beautiful areas of the Milky Way. It is also very easily recognized by it's giant cross made of stars. It's brightest star "A" Deneb is of magnitude1,3 a white giant. "B" Albireo is of magnitude ~3 and is a double, (yellow and blue). "Gamma" Sadir of magnitude ~2,3 (light yellow). And Delta is of magnitude ~3 (white). Then there is Epsilon of magnitude ~2,6. Zeta of magnitude ~3,4. And the famous 61 star of Cygnus: A double star of magnitude ~ 5,6 et ~ 6,3, two orangeish stars with a separation of 30". It has a true displacement of 5,2" per year and was measured with the 61 Cygnus couple. Even a small telescope allows to see this displacement against the background of stars over a few years!!! In dark skies with binoculars, one can observe an incredible starry show. We can see diffuse nebulaes, planetary nebulas et open clusters...On our map, one can also see the Lyra and Vulpecula constellations.

Click on the objects on the map to see it's image and description Below you will find a real image of Cygnus:

OBJECTS OF THE CYGNUS REGION

NGC 7000 : North America! Position : R.A. 20h58,8m DEC. 44°20 A diffuse emission nebula. It can be seen naked eye in a very dark sky. Of rather large size at 120’X100’. It is 2,8° ESE of the main star Deneb...return to map

NGC 6910 Position : R.A. 20h23,1m DEC. 40°47’ An open cluster situated at 0,3°north of the Gamma Cygnus star. It is a cluster of magnitude 6,5 and size is 8’. Easy to see in binoculars. M29 Position : R.A. 20h23,9m DEC. 38°32’ An open cluster situated 2° south of Gamma Cygnus. This one is of magnitude 7 and it's size is ~7’ of arc. It is at a distance of ~ 7200 light years. Easy to observe... return to map

The Veil nebula(star 52 of Cygnus) and NGC 6960 & NGC 6992/5 Supernova remnants, very dim and wide surface. NGC 6960 goes across the position of the star 52 of Cygnus which is of magnitude 4. This makes it easier to find than 6992/5 . These nebulas can be seen in a dark sky with a telescope of 200 mm aperture. Ideally, it would be best with a filter(OIII) ... return to map

The Lyra constellation (La Lyre) The famous musical intrument of Apollon, (the Harp) which he gave to Orpheus! It is a small constellation in which the main stars form a shape of a trapezium. It's main star (alpha) is one of the closest ones to us at 26 light years and it is also the brightest one in that area of the sky in visible light at magnitude 0.3. This fantastic star will be the reference star for the terrestrial north pole in 12 000 years because of precession of the poles. * (Beta) star in Lyra "Sheliak " is of magnitude 3,4 and an une eclipse variable, it is of type "Bêta Lyrae". * (Gamma) star in Lyra "Salufat" if of magnitude 3,24. * (Delta) star A double star with a separation of 12’, magnitudes of 4,5 and 5,5. One is orange and one is blue. Good observers can seen them with the naked eye ! * (Zeta) star in Lyra, another double star with magnitudes of 4,3 and 5,7. This couple can be observed with small instruments. * (Epsilon) star in Lyra. The famous test for telescopes, it is a quadruple system. The two main stars are white and separated by 208" and they are of magnitudes of 4,6 and 4,9. Each one is also double and the couple north of epsilon 1 is separated by ~2,6" and the couple south of epsilon 2 is separated by ~ 2,3". M56 Position : R.A. 19h16,6m. DEC. 30°11’ A globular cluster of magnitude 8,2 . An easy object for small instruments... return to map

M57 The Ring nebula Position : R.A. 18h53,6m DEC. 33°02’ The Ring nebula is of magnitude 8,9 and it is small with a diameter of ~60" ... return to map

Vulpecula (Le Petit Renard) and M27 Position : R.A. 19h59,6m DEC.22°43’ A small constellation located east of the southern part of Cygnus. It is very popular with amateurs because of it's wonderful Dumbell nebula M27. It is a planetary nebula in the Vulpecula constellation. An excellent object that can be seen in binoculars even in the city! It is of magnitude 7,6 and it is 8’ by 4’ in size...return to map

Sagitta (La Flèche) and M71 Position : R.A. 19h53,8m. DEC. 18°47’ It is a small formation of 6 main stars. This one represents the arrow that Hercules used to kill the vulture that was devouring the liver of Prometheus. This small constellation is located south of Vulpecula and easy to see with the naked eye. We also find M71 in it. M71 A globular cluster in the Sagitta constellation. It is an accessible object with binoculars. It is of magnitude 8.3 and a diameter of 6’ of arc. It is one of the closest globulars in our galaxy at ~ 8500 light years.... return to map