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Shape of the Southern Crab Nebula
Diagram of the Southern Crab Nebula Structure
This diagram traces the hourglass structure formed by a pair of huge, bipolar gas bubbles ejected by a double star in the center of the Southern Crab Nebula. The gases are dispersed too thinly for the full shape of the hourglass to be photographed. Instead, the bubbles appear brightest at the edges, giving the illusion of crab leg structures. The stars are likely embedded inside a disk of material that constricts and directs the outflow of gas from the system. This disk apparently also launched twin jets of material that form knots far outside the system as they slam into interstellar material.
- Release DateApril 18, 2019
- Science ReleaseHubble Celebrates 29th Anniversary with a Colorful Look at the Southern Crab Nebula
- Credit
Related Images & Videos
Compass Image for Southern Crab Nebula
Image of Southern Crab Nebula, with compass arrows, scale bar, and color key for reference. The north and east compass arrows show the orientation of the image on the sky. Note that the relationship between north and east on the sky (as seen from below) is flipped relative to...
Colors of the Southern Crab Nebula
Dissecting the Southern Crab Nebula This diagram illustrates how Hubble Space Telescope spectral observations were used to study the chemical makeup of the Southern Crab Nebula. The hourglass-shaped nebula contains elements forged in the interior of its two aging central stars...
Spectroscopy Animation of Southern Crab Nebula
Dissecting the Southern Crab Nebula This video illustrates how Hubble Space Telescope spectral observations were used to study the chemical makeup of the Southern Crab Nebula. The hourglass-shaped nebula contains elements forged in the interior of its two aging central stars...
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Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov
