Sh2-103 • NGC 6995 • Veil Nebula

Sh2‑103 is the supernova remnant known as the Veil Nebula, the remains of a massive star that exploded between 5,000 and 8,000 years ago in the constellation Cygnus. The expanding shock front has created a large, filamentary structure spanning several degrees of sky. The eastern portion consists of NGC 6992 and NGC 6995, with NGC 6995 forming the delicate, curved filaments often referred to as the “Bat Nebula”. These strands of ionized gas are shaped by the shock wave as it interacts with the surrounding interstellar medium, producing strong O III and Hα emission. The western counterpart, NGC 6960, lies near the bright star 52 Cygni and forms the well‑known “Witch’s Broom.”