M 39 is a large and loose open cluster nestled in the
summer Milky Way of the constellation Cygnus. Under good
conditions, it can be glimpsed without optical aid. It is
about 800 light years away from earth. Near the bottom center
of this image you can see the faint red glow of ionized
hydrogen; clouds like this are common along the summer Milky
Way.

Image data:
Camera: Canon 350XT (modified)
Exposure: 60 seconds x 30
Telescope: William Optics 66mm, 0.8x focal reducer