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> The Pencil nebula, a supernova remnant in Vela
The Pencil nebula, a supernova remnant in Vela
author: Nasa/Hubble heritage team/Novapix
reference: a-snv11-00072
Image Size 300 DPI: 27 * 27 cm
Remnants from a star that exploded thousands of years ago created a celestial abstract portrait, as captured in this image of the Pencil Nebula. Officially known as NGC 2736, the Pencil Nebula is part of the huge Vela supernova remnant, located in the southern constellation Vela. The nebula's shape suggests that it is part of the supernova shock wave that recently encountered a region of dense gas. It is this interaction that causes the nebula to glow, appearing like a rippled sheet. The region of the Pencil Nebula captured here by the Hubble space telescope is about three fourths of a light-year across. The Vela supernova remnant is 114 light-years (35 parsecs) across. The remnant is about 815 light-years (250 parsecs) away from our solar system.
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