Sh2-119

Sh2-119 is a diffuse nebula observable in the constellation Cygnus.

It is located about 2 degrees west of the North America Nebula, or 9 degrees west of the bright star Deneb; it appears to envelop the star 68 Cygni, of fifth magnitude. It can be observed with a medium-power amateur telescope and shows itself very well in long exposure photographs.

Its shape appears similar to two shells that are arranged to the east and west of 68 Cygni; the eastern part is the largest. In the southern part, thin filaments and cocoons of dark nebulosity are visible, which contrast strongly both with the light of the nebula and with the rich star field in the background. The distance of Sh2-119 is estimated at 2200 light years from us.