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Cygnus, the Swan

A constellation best seen overhead during summer evenings. Its brightest stars form a pattern that looks like a crucifix, so the constellation is also known as the Northern Cross. Its brightest star, Deneb, forms a point of the large Summer Triangle.

Resources

Cygnus, the Swan

Cygnus, the Swan May 25, 2010

Radio Programs

Beginning of the End The beginning of the end for a star December 23, 2022

Messier 39 The right tool for a star cluster September 4, 2022

Delta Cygni Spreading out a stellar trio July 23, 2022

Veil Nebula The remnant of an exploded star January 27, 2022

Jewel Bug Sculpting a celestial bug June 8, 2021

Cygnus X-1 A black hole gets heavier June 3, 2021

Northern Cross A graceful bird changes identity December 25, 2020

Cygnus Superbubble Blowing a giant “bubble” in space August 30, 2020

Sadr Playing tricks in the night sky August 13, 2020

Faint Neighbors Faint neighbors in the swan July 3, 2020

Chi Cygni An aging, unstable star November 9, 2019

Messy Newborn An infant star that’s messy October 21, 2019

Veil Nebula Unveiling a cosmic explosion August 30, 2019

Stellar Nurseries A busy stellar nursery August 29, 2019

V404 Cygni Studying a busy black hole August 28, 2019

Cygnus X-1 A giant star vanishes from view July 11, 2019

Cygnus The impressive heart of the swan July 10, 2019

61 Cygni Zeroing in on a nearby star August 4, 2018

Albireo The swan’s colorful beak July 28, 2018

16 Cygni Two Sun-like stars in a single system July 3, 2018

Holiday Skies A beautiful sky for a holiday night December 24, 2017

V404 Cygni A binge-eating black hole September 1, 2017

Delta Cygni Spreading out a stellar trio July 31, 2017

Vanishing Planets Doomed planets around a dying star July 27, 2017

Future Fireworks Getting ready for some fireworks June 29, 2017

Featured Images

Sparse Cluster September 4, 2022
Veil Nebula in Cygnus seen by HST

Cosmic Veil January 27, 2022
artist's concept of cygnus X-1

Needy Companion June 3, 2021
Segment of Veil Nebula

Unveiling a Supernova August 30, 2019
X-ray image of light echoes from V404 Cygni

Echoes of a Black Hole August 28, 2019
Artist's concept of Cygnus X-1

Bad Neighbor July 11, 2019
Albireo

Colorful Beak July 28, 2018