Mounted image 153: The Crab Nebula in Taurus

This image shows the Crab Nebula (also known as Messier 1), as observed with the ESO Very Large Telescope in visible light. The Crab Nebula is the remnant of a supernova explosion at a distance of about 6000 light-years, which was first observed almost 1000 years ago, in the year 1054. It contains a neutron star near its centre, that spins 30 times per second around its axis.

#L

Credit:

ESO

About the Mounted Image

Id:mounted_0153
Release date:23 April 2012, 13:26
Dimensions:39.8 cm (W) x 40 cm (H) x 1 cm (D)
Related archive image:eso9948f