Le Gentil 3

Le Gentil 3

Nebula
Map of the Cygnus constellation which Le Gentil 3 is located in
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Subtype	Dark nebula
Right ascension	21h 16m 49s
Declination	+50° 46' 12"
Constellation	Cygnus
Designations	Globular filament 7, GF 7, Northern Inkspot
See also: Lists of nebulae

Le Gentil 3 (also known as Globular Filament 7 or GF 7 and sometimes called the Northern Inkspot) ^[1] is a very large filementary dark nebula complex located in the constellation of Cygnus. The nebula is part of a larger complex called Cygnus OB7 and lies towards the western end of the Radcliffe wave. ^[2] It was named after the French astronomer Guillaume Le Gentil who observed and cataloged Le Gentil 3 in the 1700s. ^[3]

This nebula can be easily observed with the unaided eye from a true-dark sky observing site. ^[3]

Observation

Le Gentil 3 was named after famous 18th century French astronomer Guillaume Le Gentil who first noted it in the year 1749 in his journal that it “seems opaque and very dark”. ^{[3] [2]}

References

1. O'Meara, Stephen James (2019-08-06). "The coalsacks of Cygnus | Astronomy.com". Astronomy Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
2. "A Deep-Sky Vista and the Dark Nebula Le Gentil 3". Cosmic Pursuits. 2023-11-27. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
3. "Le Gentil 3". www.astropix.com. Retrieved 2025-07-03.