The Pencil Nebula, a strangely shaped leftover from a vast explosion

The oddly shaped Pencil Nebula (NGC 2736) is pictured in this image from ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. This nebula is a small part of a huge remnant left over after a supernova explosion that took place about 11 000 years ago. The image was produced by the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile.

This image is available as a Mounted Image in the ESOshop.

#L

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso1236a
Type:Observation
Release date:12 September 2012, 12:00
Related releases:eso1236
Size:8357 x 8357 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 2736
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Supernova Remnant
Distance:800 light years
Constellation:Vela
Category:Nebulae

Mounted Image

Image Formats

Large JPEG
45.8 MB
Screensize JPEG
481.6 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x768
401.8 KB
1280x1024
634.1 KB
1600x1200
873.7 KB
1920x1200
995.7 KB
2048x1536
1.3 MB

Coordinates

Position (RA):9 0 12.02
Position (Dec):-45° 57' 0.24"
Field of view:33.16 x 33.16 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 90.1° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
B
456 nmMPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Optical
V
540 nmMPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Optical
R
652 nmMPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Optical
H-alpha
659 nmMPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI