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Supernova Remnant M 1 (NGC 1952)

Date:26.10.1995 Time:23:05 UT Exposure:B:10m, V:10m, H-alpha:20m
Field of View:10' x 8' Receiver: WWFPP, 20482 CCD Filter:B, V, H-alpha
Instrument: 1.23m Observatory: Calar Alto Observer:T. Credner, S. Kohle

© Copyright by the observers


Astronomical Institutes of the University of Bonn

From Colors to Astrophysics

This three color composite is consisting of H-alpha, Johnson V, and B filter exposures, represented in red, green, and blue respectively. The fine structured red filaments, observed at a wavelength of 656nm, show the distribution of the ionized hydrogen. This are the turbulent and expanding remnants of the starexplosion of the year 1054. Quite different is the more homogeneous distribution of the green and blue parts. This is mainly the high energetic (shorter wavelength) synchrotron radiation. In the center of this nebula is the Crab-Pulsar , which is creating a strong magnetic field. Charged particles are circulating in this magnetic field, loosing energy and so giving this synchrotron radiation.

This image is already published in:

  • The Year In Space 1999 desk calendar by Steve Cariddi, Starry Messenger Press.
  • Astronomy Picture of the Day, February 8, 1998, NASA
  • Pulsar page from the Max Planck Institut für Radioastronomie
  • "Through the eyes of Hubble: the birth, life and violent death of stars" by Robert Naeye, Kalmbach Books
  • ASTRONOMY magazine, July 1997, "Ka-Boom! How Stars Explode" by Robert Naeye.
  • Astronomy Image of the Month (March 1997), Las Positas College
  • Astronomy Picture of the Day, February 7, 1997, NASA
  • the M1 page of Hartmut Frommert

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