The Vela Supernova Remnant
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The Vela Supernova Remnant is an object within the constellation of Vela, which can only be seen in the southern Hemisphere. It is about 6,000 light years away.
Around 10,000 years ago a massive star exploded as a supernova that would have been easily visible from Earth. It has been estimated that – for a short time – it would have been as bright as the Moon in the night sky.
At the heart of the Remnant is a pulsar, this being a rapidly spinning neutron star that is the extremely dense core – only 12 miles in diameter - of the original star. The pulsar rotates about 11 times every second, emitting radiation as it does so. At gamma-ray wavelengths the Vela Remnant is the brightest object in the sky.
The Vela pulsar was only the second such object to be discovered optically, the flashes being observed in 1977.
The Remnant itself is a spherical shell of material that has been expanding into the interstellar medium ever since the supernova explosion.
Around 10,000 years ago a massive star exploded as a supernova that would have been easily visible from Earth. It has been estimated that – for a short time – it would have been as bright as the Moon in the night sky.
At the heart of the Remnant is a pulsar, this being a rapidly spinning neutron star that is the extremely dense core – only 12 miles in diameter - of the original star. The pulsar rotates about 11 times every second, emitting radiation as it does so. At gamma-ray wavelengths the Vela Remnant is the brightest object in the sky.
The Vela pulsar was only the second such object to be discovered optically, the flashes being observed in 1977.
The Remnant itself is a spherical shell of material that has been expanding into the interstellar medium ever since the supernova explosion.
blissfulliberty › This is interesting. When I was young I used to read comics about UFOs and I dreamed of becoming an astronaut.. :)
Frenki › Very interesting article. Astrnomy always amaze me :)
blissfulliberty › @indexer i dream a lot. now not to become an astronaut but to read the stars.. hahaha.. :)
svetle76 › Very interesting article
