Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946) in Cepheus
NGC 6946, (also known as the Fireworks Galaxy, Arp 29, and Caldwell 12), is an mixed spiral galaxy about 18 million light-years away, in the constellation of Cepheus. Its estimated linear diameter is 58’000 light-years, shining at magnitude 8.8.
It was discovered by William Herschel on September 9, 1798. NGC 6946 is highly obscured by interstellar matter of the Milky Way galaxy, as it is quite close to the galactic plane. Nine supernovae since 1917 have been observed in NGC 6946.
[description from wikipedia and O’Meara]
Details
Telescope:
RCOS 14.5″ f/8
Mount:
ASA DDM85
Camera:
Apogee U16M
Filters:
Astrodon Gen2
Exposure:
LRGB 800:280:280:220 min.
Location:
ROSA Remote Observatories Southern Alps
Author:
© Martin Rusterholz, Astrophotographer
↑ Back to Galaxies

Hello, my name is Martin Rusterholz. I’m a Swiss amateur astrophotographer living near Zurich, the biggest town in Switzerland. My interest in astronomy started when I was 16. At that time, I built my first Newtonian telescope and mount. I studied physics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) which was the only study including at least some aspects of astronomy and astrophysics.
“Looking at the nights sky is an experience touching everybody deeply inside, something common to all human beings independent to the language spoken by the individuals”.
Deep-sky astrophotography is my passion.