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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Туманность Гама http://www.variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1411642/eng |
Credit & Copyright: John Gleason
Explanation:
Named for a cosmic cloud hunter, Australian astronomer
Colin Stanley Gum
(1924-1960),
The Gum Nebula
is so large and close it is actually hard to see.
In fact, we are only about
450 light-years from the front edge
and 1,500 light-years from the back edge of this
interstellar expanse of glowing hydrogen gas.
Covered in
this 40+ degree-wide
monochrome mosaic of Hydrogen-alpha images,
the faint emission region stands out against the background
of Milky Way stars.
The complex
nebula is thought to be a
supernova remnant over a million years old, sprawling
across the Ship's
southern constellations Vela and Puppis.
This spectacular wide field view
also explores
many objects
embedded in The Gum Nebula, including the younger
Vela supernova remnant.
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.