These filaments of gas are a portion of a much larger bubble of expanding material generated by the explosion of a massive star. This portion of the complex is often called the "Network Nebula." At an estimated distance of 2600 light years, its large angular extent on the sky indicates that it is an old remnant. By measuring both the size of the bubble and the velocity of the expanding gas, astronomers estimate that this spectacular explosion took place more than 15,000 years ago. A much younger example is the Crab Nebula.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
NGC 6992: The Veil Nebula
These filaments of gas are a portion of a much larger bubble of expanding material generated by the explosion of a massive star. This portion of the complex is often called the "Network Nebula." At an estimated distance of 2600 light years, its large angular extent on the sky indicates that it is an old remnant. By measuring both the size of the bubble and the velocity of the expanding gas, astronomers estimate that this spectacular explosion took place more than 15,000 years ago. A much younger example is the Crab Nebula.
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