AAPOD2 Image Archives
NGC 2736 Pencil Nebula in HOO
NGC 2736, also recognized as the Pencil Nebula. Situated in the Vela constellation, this elongated nebula is a remnant of a supernova explosion, showcasing intricate tendrils of ionized hydrogen and oxygen gases.
The hydrogen alpha emissions, depicted in red, highlight regions of intense star formation and energetic interactions. The oxygen emissions, represented in greenish-blue, offer insights into the nebula's chemical composition and the aftermath of the supernova explosion.
The Pencil Nebula is part of the larger Vela Supernova Remnant, an expansive shell of gas and dust resulting from the cataclysmic death of a massive star. This supernova event likely occurred thousands of years ago, and the Pencil Nebula serves as a testament to the transformative forces unleashed in such stellar explosions.
The delicate structure of the Pencil Nebula is sculpted by the shockwaves generated during the supernova explosion. These shockwaves compress and heat the surrounding interstellar material, giving rise to the nebula's intricate filaments and wisps.