Description and Details: Near the upper right is the Jellyfish Nebula (IC 443), the remains of a supernova that exploded occurred when a massive star approached the end of its life and exploded between 30,000 and 35,000 years ago leaving behind a neutron star and an expanding shell of ionized gasses that is estimated to be around 70 light years across. Its glowing, wispy shape comes from the expanding shockwave crashing into surrounding gas.
In the lower left is the Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174), a large cloud of gas about 6,400 light-years away where new stars are actively forming. The bright cluster inside it, NGC 2175, is made up of young stars that are lighting up the surrounding nebula. The Jellyfish Nebula itself is closer, at about 5,000 light-years away.
Description and Details: Near the upper right is the Jellyfish Nebula (IC 443), the remains of a supernova that exploded occurred when a massive star approached the end of its life and exploded between 30,000 and 35,000 years ago leaving behind a neutron star and an expanding shell of ionized gasses that is estimated to be around 70 light years across. Its glowing, wispy shape comes from the expanding shockwave crashing into surrounding gas.
In the lower left is the Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174), a large cloud of gas about 6,400 light-years away where new stars are actively forming. The bright cluster inside it, NGC 2175, is made up of young stars that are lighting up the surrounding nebula.
The Jellyfish Nebula itself is closer, at about 5,000 light-years away.