DSS + insert, annotated

This wide-field image contains the area where a team of researchers confirmed that cosmic rays from our galaxy are very efficiently accelerated in the remnants of exploded stars. The red line guides the eye to various regions where the remnants of the stellar explosion are most visible. The boxed area contains an insert of data from the VLT and Chandra. This region, named RCW 86, is centered on the position where a star exploded in 185 AD. The field of view is 4 degrees across with north to the top and east to the left.

Credit:

ESO and Digitized Sky Survey 2. Acknowledgment: Davide De Martin

About the Image

Id:eso0923b
Type:Observation
Release date:25 June 2009
Related releases:eso0923
Size:1660 x 1660 px

About the Object

Name:RCW 86
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Supernova Remnant
Distance:8000 light years
Constellation:Centaurus
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEG
1.6 MB
Screensize JPEG
784.1 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
515.3 KB
1280x1024
857.7 KB
1600x1200
1.2 MB
1920x1200
1.2 MB
2048x1536
1.6 MB

Coordinates

Position (RA):14 40 28.94
Position (Dec):-62° 38' 42.42"
Field of view:111.46 x 111.46 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.8° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical
B
Digitized Sky Survey 2
Optical
R
Digitized Sky Survey 2