Posted on 09/28/2020 5:44:03 PM PDT by MtnClimber
Explanation: What lies at the edge of an expanding supernova? Subtle and delicate in appearance, these ribbons of shocked interstellar gas are part of a blast wave at the expanding edge of a violent stellar explosion that would have been easily visible to humans during the late stone age, about 20,000 years ago. The featured image was recorded by the Hubble Space Telescope and is a closeup of the outer edge of a supernova remnant known as the Cygnus Loop or Veil Nebula. The filamentary shock front is moving toward the top of the frame at about 170 kilometers per second, while glowing in light emitted by atoms of excited hydrogen gas. The distances to stars thought to be interacting with the Cygnus Loop have recently been found by the Gaia mission to be about 2400 light years distant. The whole Cygnus Loop spans six full Moons across the sky, corresponding to about 130 light years, and parts can be seen with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Swan (Cygnus).
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then zoom by moving the magnifying glass over an area and then clicking. The side bars will move the zoomed area over the photograph.
Pinging the APOD list
Doesn’t look that way in my 12.5 dob
Every single pic you post boggles my mind in one way or another.
Attempting to comprehend space is impossible.
I understand the words and numbers, but can’t really comprehend it all in scope and depth.
This one’s really cool. Going as my desktop.
Nice ribbon! Wifey’s gonna want some for Christmas.
// ribbons of shocked interstellar gas are part of a blast wave at the expanding edge of a violent stellar explosion //
Interesting, beautiful
Imagine being able to visit all those incredible places ....
Many many thanks to you for posting these. Not only does it expose all of us to the wonders of the universe; it also serves as a VERY welcome break from all the chaos and negativity on our little blue orb.
Hubble, still kicking azz
I am waiting to see what the Webb telescope is like. But, it has mainly infrared capability.
will be interesting
The bible says the same thing about God.
That’s beautiful!!!
Wow....
Thar looks like a Birkeland current.
Very similar photo at this link:
https://www.thunderbolts.info/wp/2012/01/04/essential-guide-to-the-eu-chapter-7/
The filamentary shock front is moving toward the top of the frame at about 170 kilometers per second, while glowing in light emitted by atoms of excited hydrogen gas.
170 kps would definitely getcha to the grocery store in a hurry. Probably glowing, too. ;-)
Doesn’t look like that in my 6 inch Newtonian refractor either.
― Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
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