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Herschel’s Ray

Pencil Nebula, Streak Nebula, NGC 2736, ESO 260-N14

Proper NamesHerschel’s Ray
Messier NumberNone
NGC/IC NumberNGC 2736
Other DesignationsESO 260-N14
ConstellationVela
Right Ascension9h 0m 12s
Declination-45° 57' 0"
Distance815 light years
250 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +12.00
Absolute: +5.01
(Approximate values taken from the main Vela Supernova Remnant)
DiameterApparent: 20'
Actual: 5 light years
Optimum VisibilityFebruary (Usually visible from southern latitudes)

Herschel's Ray is not truly a 'ray', but an illuminated section of the outer shockwave produced by the supernova event that created the Vela Supernova Remnant. This part of the shockwave is still travelling rapidly away from the point of the ancient supernova, rushing through space at an estimated 644,000 kilometres per hour in an approximately eastward direction (that is, towards the left of this image) as seen from Earth. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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