NGC 6914 Area
This area is part of a large complex of emission, reflection and dark nebulae around Sadr (Gamma Cygni) in Cygnus. The small patches of blue reflection nebulosity at upper right are part of the NGC 6914 / van den Berg 131 / van den Berg 132 complex which lies 6,000 light-years distant. Hot young massive stars in the Cygnus OB2 stellar association produce large amounts of ultraviolet radiation which ionizes the hydrogen gas in the area. Protons and electrons recombine producing the red glow of Hydrogen-alpha emissions. These same stars also illuminate dust in the area that reflects the strong blue light, resulting in the reflection nebulae. NGC 6914 was discovered by Jean Marie Edouard Stephan in 1881. North is to the right in the above image.
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