When is the best time to observe Crescent nebula?

Crescent nebula is best observed from June through August, with peak visibility during July when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Crescent nebula located in the sky?

Crescent nebula lies in the constellation Cygnus at right ascension 20h 12m and declination +38° 21′.

What telescope do I need to see Crescent nebula?

At magnitude 7.4, Crescent nebula is easy in 7×50 or 10×50 binoculars.

Crescent nebula — Emission Nebula in Cygnus

NGC 6888

Emission Nebula Excellent (64/100)

Magnitude 7.4^m EmissionNebula Cygnus (Cyg) Visible

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About Crescent nebula

Description

The Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) is an emission nebula in Cygnus, about 5,000 light-years away. It is formed by the fast stellar wind from the Wolf-Rayet star WR 136 colliding with slower material the star ejected when it was a red supergiant.

Observing Tips

A challenging visual target. An OIII filter is almost essential, revealing the crescent-shaped arc in an 8-inch or larger telescope. Located near the center of Cygnus in the rich Milky Way, which provides a spectacular star field. Best in summer.

History

Discovered by William Herschel on September 15, 1792. The nebula is a textbook example of a wind-blown bubble created by a massive star's violent final evolutionary stages before it eventually explodes as a supernova.

Fun Facts

The Wolf-Rayet star WR 136 at the center is losing mass at a staggering rate and will likely explode as a supernova within a few hundred thousand years. The nebula is expanding at about 75 km/s.