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Credit & Copyright: Martin Pugh
Explanation:
Delicate in appearance, these filaments of shocked, glowing gas,
draped in planet Earth's sky toward the constellation of Cygnus,
make up the
Veil Nebula.
The nebula is a large
supernova remnant, an expanding
cloud born of the death explosion of a massive star.
Light from the original supernova explosion likely reached
Earth over 5,000 years ago.
Also known as the Cygnus Loop, the
Veil Nebula now spans nearly
nearly 3 degrees or about 6 times the diameter of
the full Moon.
That translates to over 70 light-years at
at its estimated distance of 1,500 light-years.
In fact, the Veil is so large its brighter parts are
recognized as separate nebulae, including The
Witch's Broom
(NGC 6960) at the bottom of
this stunning skyview and
Pickering's Triangle (NGC 6979)
below and right of center.
At the top is the haunting IC 1340.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Veil Nebula - supernova remnant
Publications with words: Veil Nebula - supernova remnant
See also:
- APOD: 2024 April 16 Á Filaments of the Vela Supernova Remnant
- APOD: 2024 April 3 Á Unusual Nebula Pa 30
- APOD: 2024 March 25 Á Sonified: The Jellyfish Nebula Supernova Remnant
- APOD: 2024 February 27 Á Supernova Remnant Simeis 147
- The Pencil Nebula Supernova Shock Wave
- APOD: 2023 December 26 Á IC 443: The Jellyfish Nebula
- Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A