NGC6992 is part of a larger spherical supernova remnant known as the Cygnus Loop or the Veil Nebula, the shattered remains of a star that exploded over 5,000 years ago. The Veil Nebula is located in the constellation of Cygnus, the Swan. It is about 1,500 light years away from Earth. At the time of the explosion, it would have been seen as a very bright star, rivalling the crescent Moon.