Cygnus Loop
(W78, Sharpless 103)
(supernova remnant in Cygnus)
The Cygnus Loop is a loop-shaped radio source (emission nebula)
interpreted as a supernova remnant, specifically as material
ejected from a past supernova (SN) which has since traveled considerable distance.
It spans considerable angular size (an
angular diameter of around 3 degrees),
and portions of it are visible,
collectively known as the Veil Nebula, which includes visible
nebulae NGC 6960, NGC 6992, NGC 6995, and IC 1340.
Determination of the date of the presumed SN depends on the determination
of the distance to the loop, which is challenging and determinations
have varied: a recent Gaia determination is 725 pc
which suggests the SN occurred 20,000 years ago,
but some determinations have been a fraction of that.
There have been searches for an associated neutron star
(such as was found in the Crab Nebula) but none has been identified.
(nebula,supernova remnant)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cygnus_loop
http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=Cygnus+Loop
https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/1993/01/90-Image.html?news=true
https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA15415
Redshift | Parsecs /Distance | Lightyears /Lookback Years | | |
~0 | 725pc | 2.37kly | | Cygnus Loop |
|
Coordinates: | Cygnus Loop J2051+3040 |
|
Index