Photographed Feb. 23, 2003 by Donald Collins with assistance from Amy Green.
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The Crab Nebula in Taurus is the remnant of a supernova explosion in
1054 AD. In the center of this nebula is a rapidly rotating neutron
star. This neutron star is incredibly dense and compact. It
is only a few km in diameter, about the mass of the sun, and rotates 30
times a sec emitting radio pulses. This object also possesses extreme
magnetic fields. Notice some filiamentary structure and the faint
resemblance to a crab. This is about 12 minutes of exposure time.
Photographed Feb. 23, 2003 by Donald Collins with assistance from Amy Green. |