APOD 1.2

In this picture, we have a remarkable view of what is known as the 'Vela Supernova Remnant'. As the name implies, it is the leftovers of the Vela Supernova. It gets its name from its location, in the constellation 'Vela', or 'The Sails'. The star that left behind the gas after it exploded is unknown to us. Since the light released from the explosion reached Earth 11,000 years ago, the star exploded long before that. 

It is believed that the Remnant is approximately 815 light years away, and is the closest Supernova Remnant to our galaxy.


A Supernova, which leave behind Supernova 'Remnants', are extremely large explosions of stars. In the matter of a few seconds, vast amounts of light and radiation are released, amounts that are greater than the light and radiation our sun will produce in it's entire life.