NGC 6946 Fireworks Galaxy

NGC 6946, commonly known as the Fireworks Galaxy, is a face-on intermediate spiral galaxy located about 22 million light-years away on the border between the constellations Cepheus and Cygnus. It is famous for its high rate of supernovae, having hosted ten observed supernovae in the 20th and 21st centuries, which gives it its nickname.



Figure 1. The NGC 6946 Fireworks Galaxy

NGC 6946 is rich in star-forming regions and is notable for its loosely wound spiral arms and bright core.