M1: The Crab Nebula from Hubble
Explanation:
This is the mess that is left when a star explodes.
The
Crab Nebula, the result
of a supernova seen
in
1054 AD, is filled with
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 presentedi 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.
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.
