Map of the Universe

Crab Nebula

Supernova remnant · Supernova remnant in the constellation Taurus

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Crab Nebula
Picture: NASA, ESA, J. Hester and A. Loll (Arizona State University), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

About the Crab Nebula

The Crab Nebula is about 6,523 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 6,523 years ago.

It is 33,474 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way.

The map lists it as a supernova remnant and shows it among the stars around the Sun, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.

The remnant of the supernova seen in 1054 AD; a pulsar spins 30 times a second at its centre.

Key numbers

Distance6,523 light-years (2,000 pc)
Distance from the Galactic centre33,474 light-years
Galactic coordinatesl = 184.60°, b = -5.80°
Sizeabout 11 light-years across

Where it is

Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Perseus Arm › Milky Way › Local Group › Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.

Zoom out to see it in context: Local Arm, a view about 12,000 light-years across.

From Wikipedia

The Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant and pulsar wind nebula in the constellation of Taurus. The common name comes from a drawing that somewhat resembled a crab with arms produced by William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, in 1842 or 1843 using a 36-inch (91 cm) telescope.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Crab Nebula, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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