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Credit & Copyright: NASA,
ESA,
J. Hester, A. Loll (ASU);
Acknowledgement:
Davide De Martin (Skyfactory)
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 above 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.
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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: M 1 - Crab Nebula - HST
Publications with words: M 1 - Crab Nebula - HST
See also: