Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Vela (Vel)  ·  Contains:  NGC 2736  ·  Pencil Nebula
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Pencil Nebula and Surrounding (NGC 2736), Bruno Rota Sargi
Pencil Nebula and Surrounding (NGC 2736)
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Pencil Nebula and Surrounding (NGC 2736)

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Pencil Nebula and Surrounding (NGC 2736), Bruno Rota Sargi
Pencil Nebula and Surrounding (NGC 2736)
Powered byPixInsight

Pencil Nebula and Surrounding (NGC 2736)

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Description

The Pencil Nebula, also known as NGC 2736, is an emission nebula in the constellation of Vela, located about 800 light-years from Earth. Discovered in 1835, it received its nickname due to its elongated shape resembling a sharpened pencil. Originating from a supernova, which is a cataclysmic explosion of a massive star at the end of its life, the Pencil Nebula contains a compact pulsar at its center. A supernova occurred about 11,000 years ago, triggering the formation of this nebula. This explosion releases an immense amount of energy and material into space, leaving behind an extremely dense stellar remnant. The Pencil Nebula is an important object of study for astronomers, providing insights into stellar evolution and nebula formation processes. Despite being less bright than other famous nebulae, it is a popular target for amateur observers and astrophotographers.

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Pencil Nebula and Surrounding (NGC 2736), Bruno Rota Sargi