Scientists have the opportunity to examine individual details of the nebula thanks to new images obtained from the European Southern Observatory. Also, the new photos will allow all lovers of space landscapes to enjoy.
The Veil Nebula. Source: Miguel Claro
An astrophotographer took an amazing picture
Astrophotographer Miguel Claro recently published a new amazing image of the Veil Nebula. It is a supernova remnant still hiding many secrets. But thanks to the new image, we can see some of its details.
Miguel Claro is a professional photographer, author, and science popularizer living in Lisbon, Portugal. He creates spectacular images of the night sky. As a photojournalist for the European Southern Observatory, a member of The World At Night, and the official astrophotographer of the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, he specializes in astronomical skyscapes that hint on the unity of the Earth and the night sky.
What you can see in the photo
The Veil Nebula was formed by the explosion of a supernova about 10,000 years ago in the constellation of the same name, at a distance of about 1400 light years from Earth. This bright speck in the sky was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on September 5, 1784.
The explosion that formed the Veil Nebula ejected matter into space, creating tangled strands of ionized gas that glowed. We can still see the picture of this event today. Today, the Veil Nebula is about 70 light years across and continues to expand. As seen from Earth, the interstellar formation occupies about six diameters of the full Moon in the night sky.
In this image, the reddish hues are created by hydrogen gas, and the blue-greenish hues are created by oxygen gas. The stunning deep space scene also includes the Witch’s Broom Nebula (NGC 6960), in which the bright star 52 Cygnus sparkles. You can also see the Fleming Triangular Nebula (NGC 6979) and NGC 6974, a large dark filament at the northern edge of the Veil Nebula.
Based on materials: www.space.com
