M1: The Crab Nebula from Hubble
Credit & Copyright: NASA,
ESA,
J. Hester, A. Loll (ASU)
Explanation:
This is the mess that is left when a star explodes.
The
Crab Nebula, the result
of a
supernova seen
in
mysterious filaments.
The
filaments are not only
tremendously complex, but appear to have
less mass than expelled in the original supernova and a
higher speed than expected from a free explosion.
The
featured
image,
taken by the
Hubble Space Telescope,
is presented in three colors chosen for
scientific interest.
The
Crab Nebula spans about 10
light-years.
In the nebula's very center
lies a
pulsar: a
neutron star as massive as the
Sun
but with only the size of a
small town.
The
Crab Pulsar rotates about 30 times each second.
Students (of all ages):
See free astronomy lectures online
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
