Fireworks Galaxy
Galaxy

Fireworks Galaxy

NGC 6946 · Cepheus
These photons are ~22.5 million years old
UV/IR
Date
2025-09-24
Location
36.3858° N, 28.0412° E
Integration
18m (108 × 10s)
Software
ZWO Seestar app
Notes
—
Plate solve
Centre RA
20h 33m 29.3s
Centre Dec
+60° 21′ 05″
Field
42.8′ × 76.0′
Pixel scale
2.38″/px
Orientation
-75.9° E of N
TelescopeZWO Seestar S50
CameraZWO Seestar S50 Camera
RigFamily Holiday Rig
Captured from · Ελλάς
36.3858° N, 28.0412° E · open map ↗

Where to find it

Interactive sky chart centred on 20 33 29.3 +60 21 05, with constellation stick figures overlaid. Locate shows the whole constellation with the target ringed; Field zooms to the close-up. Drag to pan, scroll to zoom, click any star to identify it. Imagery: DSS colour survey via CDS Aladin Lite. Constellation figures © Dominic Ford (GPLv3).

Named for its prolific supernova production — ten confirmed in the last century, more than any other known galaxy. A face-on spiral with prominent knots of star formation; sits on the Cepheus/Cygnus border in a rich Milky Way field. Often paired with the open cluster NGC 6939.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of object is NGC 6946?
NGC 6946 is a galaxy.
Which constellation is NGC 6946 in?
NGC 6946 lies in the constellation Cepheus.
How far away is NGC 6946?
The light in this image left NGC 6946 roughly ~22.5 million years ago, so that is how far back in time you are seeing it.
What are the coordinates of NGC 6946?
NGC 6946 sits at right ascension 20h 33m 29s and declination +60° 21′ 05″ (J2000).
When is the best time to photograph NGC 6946?
NGC 6946 is circumpolar from around 54°N — it never sets, and rides highest (about 83° altitude) on evenings around July.
What equipment was used to photograph NGC 6946?
This image of NGC 6946 was captured with ZWO Seestar S50 and ZWO Seestar S50 Camera.
How much exposure time went into this image?
This image of NGC 6946 represents 18m (108 × 10s) of total integration time.