|
Credit & Copyright: Jerry Lodriguss
(Astropix.com)
Explanation:
These wisps of gas are all that remain visible of a
Milky Way star.
Many thousands of years ago that star exploded in a
supernova leaving the
Veil Nebula,
pictured above. At the time, the
expanding cloud
was likely as bright as a crescent
Moon toward the
constellation of
Cygnus,
visible for weeks to people living at the dawn of
recorded history.
The remaining
supernova remnant lies about 1400
light-years away and covers over five times the size of the
full Moon.
The bright wisp on the right is known as the
Witch's Broom Nebula
and can be seen with a small telescope.
The Veil Nebula is also known as the
Cygnus Loop.
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
Publications with words: Veil Nebula
See also: