Supernova Shock Wave Paints Cosmic Portrait
Remnants from a star that exploded thousands of years ago created a celestial abstract portrait, as captured in this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope 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. Discovered by Sir John Herschel in the 1840s, the nebula's linear appearance triggered its popular name. 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.
Credit:
About the Image
NASA press release
NASA caption
NASA caption
| Id: | opo0316a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 5 June 2003, 15:00 |
| Size: | 3289 x 3252 px |
About the Object
| Name: | NGC 2736, Pencil Nebula |
| Type: | • Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Supernova Remnant • Nebulae Images/Videos |
| Distance: | 1600 light years |
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
| Optical B |
435 nm | Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 |
| Optical OIII |
502 nm | Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 |
| Optical V |
555 nm | Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 |
| Optical H-alpha + Nii |
658 nm | Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 |
| Infrared I |
775 nm | Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 |
