The Crab Nebula is the remnant of a supernova explosion observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054 AD. It is one of the most studied celestial objects due to its unique characteristics and historical significance. The nebula is powered by a rapidly rotating neutron star at its center, which emits pulsating beams of radiation. Its expanding cloud of gas and dust continues to fascinate astronomers and astrophotographers alike, offering a glimpse into the violent end of a massive star’s life.
Names and Catalog numbers
– Messier 1
– NGC 1952
– Sharpless 244
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
The Crab Nebula can be found near the southern ‘horn’ of Taurus, specifically to the northwest of the bright star Zeta Tauri. It is located in the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy, within the Local Group of galaxies. The nebula’s position makes it an ideal target for astrophotography during winter months in the Northern Hemisphere.
Nice to Know
1. The Crab Nebula was the first entry in Charles Messier’s famous catalog of non-cometary objects.
2. It expands at a rate of 1,500 km/s, allowing astronomers to observe its growth over time.
3. The central neutron star rotates 30 times per second, creating a pulsating effect.
4. The nebula is visible with binoculars and small telescopes, making it accessible to amateur astronomers.
Brightness, distance and size
The Crab Nebula has an apparent magnitude of 8.4, making it visible through binoculars or small telescopes under dark sky conditions. Located approximately 6,500 light-years from Earth, the nebula spans about 6 light-years in diameter. In terms of angular size, it appears roughly 6 by 4 arcminutes in the night sky, which is about one-fifth the apparent diameter of the full moon.
