Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
written by a professional astronomer.
2024 September 4
The featured image shows a starfield with a two- colored nebula in the
center. The nebula is colored mostly red and blue. Please see the
explanation for more detailed information.
NGC 6995: The Bat Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Mike Taivalmaa
Explanation: Can you see the bat? It haunts this cosmic close-up of the
eastern Veil Nebula. The Veil Nebula itself is a large supernova
remnant, the expanding debris cloud from the death explosion of a
massive star. While the Veil is roughly circular in shape and covers
nearly 3 degrees on the sky toward the constellation of the Swan
(Cygnus), NGC 6995, known informally as the Bat Nebula, spans only 1/2
degree, about the apparent size of the Moon. That translates to 12
light-years at the Veil's estimated distance, a reassuring 1,400
light-years from planet Earth. In the composite of image data recorded
through narrow band filters, emission from hydrogen atoms in the
remnant is shown in red with strong emission from oxygen atoms shown in
hues of blue. Of course, in the western part of the Veil lies another
seasonal apparition: the Witch's Broom Nebula.
Teachers & Students: Ideas for using APOD in the classroom
Tomorrow's picture: friendly spiral
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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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NASA Science Activation
& Michigan Tech. U.
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