Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2003 February 4 
Posted on 02/04/2003 5:14:51 AM PST by petuniasevan
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2003 February 4
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.
Exposure Data
We may be overdue for a supernova in our Milky Way; one hasn't been seen in this galaxy in 400 years.
Astronomers keep an eye on various suspect stars, but of course estimating a star's demise timeline is guesswork. One star could explode tomorrow or a thousand years from now. Another could have already gone supernova a century ago; our great-grandchildren's great-grandchildren might see it. Who knows?
When the light from a Milky Way supernova does arrive here at Earth, it will be an event to remember. Imagine a point of light shining brighter than a full Moon...
This space art is a concept of Betelgeuse in Orion going supernova. Betelgeuse is a prime candidate as it seems to be about out of nuclear "fuel" which supports the star against its own gravity.
Video shows shuttle may have shed debris over Arizona -
check out this video taken by amateurs
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