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Credit & Copyright: Andrew Campbell
Explanation:
Large and
dramatically shaped, this cosmic cloud spans nearly 7 degrees
or 14 full moons across
planet Earth's sky toward the southern
constellation Ara.
Difficult to image, the filamentary apparition is cataloged as RCW 114
and traced in this telescopic mosaic by the telltale reddish emission
of ionized hydrogen atoms.
In fact, RCW 114 has been recognized as a
supernova
remnant.
Its extensive filaments of emission
are produced as the still
expanding shockwave from the death explosion of a massive star
sweeps up the surrounding interstellar medium.
Consistent estimates place
its distance at over 600 light-years,
indicating a diameter of about 100 light-years or so.
Light from the supernova explosion that created RCW 114 would have
reached Earth around 20,000 years ago.
A neutron star or pulsar has recently been
identified as the
collapsed remains of the stellar core.
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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: supernova remnant
Publications with words: supernova remnant
See also:
- Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A
- APOD: 2025 January 8 Á Supernova Remnants Big and Small
- APOD: 2024 September 18 Á The Mermaid Nebula Supernova Remnant
- 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