Astronomy Picture of the Day -- M1: The Crab Nebula from Hubble

NASA ^ | December 25, 2011 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

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.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Hester, A. Loll (ASU); Acknowledgement: Davide De Martin (Skyfactory)]

[SunkenCiv]

Merry Christmas! I neglected to send myself a copy of the ping list (I'm not at home right now), so I did my best to rebuild it from the FReepmails.

Best Short Astronomy Videos: APOD editor to speak in New York City on Friday, January 6.

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[blueunicorn6]

10 light years across? That’s a lot of butter and where do you find an 11 light year wide bowl to hold that kind of butter?

[Dysart]

That’s a margarine comment at best.

[smokingfrog]

July 4, 1054 – The SN 1054 supernova is recorded by the Chinese, Arab and possibly Native Americans near the star ζ Tauri. For 23 days it remains bright enough to be seen in daylight. Its remnants form the Crab Nebula (NGC 1952).[ 1 ]

[blueunicorn6]

Everyone knows I’ll just keep milking it.

[TigersEye]

It looks more like a body louse but Body Louse Nebula just wouldn’t sound right. ;^)

[SunkenCiv]

722 years later...

[SunkenCiv]

...or enough butter to fill it?

[SunkenCiv]

;’)

[randita]

There’s a thermal feature in Yellowstone that looks similar to this. Cool.

[Delta 21]

30 TIMES A SECOND !!??!!

[bigheadfred]

Let's eat.

[null and void]

I see a blue-green frog. Head in the upper right, body arching back to the butt in the lower left and siting up on two distinct front legs.

[Mike Darancette]

Thanks for the new background.

[SunkenCiv]

I probably only post four or five topics a second.

[SunkenCiv]

Oooh! Ahhh!

Thanks bhf!

[SunkenCiv]

It’s one of the cooler nebulae.

[Shimmer1]

Love this one, thanks

[TheOldLady]

OMGoodness! Now that you mention it, I see it too, and I love frogs. Thanks, Nully. Hope that you had an excellent Christmas!

Thanks for the ping, Mr. Civilizations.