The brightest portion of the Veil Nebula is NGC 6992, which is positioned 2.5 degrees east of NGC 6960. Visible in my 10x50 binoculars as a misty patch, this section displays a delicate feathery structure at low power (36X) in my 10-inch Newtonian. Also known as NGC 6995, this is arguably the most dramatic example of a supernova remnant visible from mid-northern latitudes. Modern nebula filters bring the Veil to life. I paired a Lumicon OIII filter with a TeleVue 32-mm Plossl eyepiece to achieve the view pictured at left.

The arc covers roughly an 80'x25' area and is framed by nearly 50 stars, many in the 11th and 12th magnitude range. The brightest portion is the elongtated northerly section. The opposite end features a pair of slender fingers of nebulosity, giving the whole structure the appearance of a skeletal arm with a bony hand reaching toward some unseen objective. It's not the romantic picture conjured by the popular name for this object, but does render a more accurate likeness.

While you're in the area, have a gander at Pickering's Wedge, a triangular patch of this ancient supernova remnant located about 1.8 degrees west of NGC 6992.