NASA's daily snapshot of the cosmos zooms in on the captivating Vela Supernova Remnant, showcasing the chaotic yet colorful aftermath of a celestial cataclysm that unfolded millennia ago.
(Photo: CTIO, NOIRLab, DOE, NSF, AURA; Processing: T. A. Rector (U. Alaska Anchorage), M. Zamani & D. de Martin (’s NOIRLab))
A Star Meets its End
About eleven millennia ago, a star met its explosive end in the constellation of Vela, giving rise to a brief but luminous spectacle that graced the skies of early human civilizations.
The remnants of this stellar demise persist to this day, manifesting as an intricate network of filamentary structures suspended against the backdrop of space, according to NASA.
This image was captured in visible light, showcasing the remnants of the stellar explosion in stunning detail. Wisps of gas, propelled outward by the force of the detonation, collide with the surrounding interstellar medium, generating a riot of colors and energies that paint this stunning picture.
At the heart of this celestial tapestry lies a pulsar, a dense stellar corpse born from the exploded star's remnants. This pulsar spins on its axis at dizzying speeds, completing more than ten rotations per second.
One of the Nearest Supernova Remnants to the Sun
The Vela Supernova Remnant, also known as Gum 16, spans an impressive 8 degrees in apparent size and is one of the nearest supernova remnants to the sun, according to the Constellation Guide.
This cataclysmic event was triggered by the gravitational collapse of a massive star, leaving behind a cloud of expanding debris hurtling outward at speeds exceeding 1,200 kilometers per second.
Among the intricate structures within the remnant lies the enigmatic Pencil Nebula, a slender filament of gas cataloged as NGC 2736. Discovered in 1835 by astronomer John Herschel, this nebula represents a fragment of the shock wave generated by the supernova explosion.
Despite its name, the Pencil Nebula spans a considerable distance, with a radius of approximately 5 light-years.
The precise distance to the Vela Supernova Remnant has long been a subject of scientific inquiry. Initial estimates placed it at around 500 parsecs (1,630 light-years), but subsequent measurements refined this figure to approximately 287 parsecs (936 light-years), according to Constellation Guide.
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A Closer Look at a Solar Corona
In related news, NASA's previous picture of the day presents an unprecedented view of the solar corona, offering a unique glimpse into the dynamic outer atmosphere of the Sun thanks to two distinct total solar eclipses.
The image, captured by Peter Ward at the Barden Ridge Observatory, maps the solar corona from its circular form during eclipses to a rectangular presentation.
The composite image juxtaposes the solar corona observed during the 2017 eclipse in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with that of the 2023 eclipse in Exmouth, Western Australia.
Notably, these eclipses happened at different points in the Sun's 11-year activity cycle. The 2017 event coincided with a period of minimal solar activity, while the 2023 eclipse occurred closer to the solar maximum.
Take a closer look at this solar corona here.
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