The Gum Nebula in The Milky Way Galaxy | European Southern Observatory

The Gum Nebula in The Milky Way Galaxy | European Southern Observatory

The nearby Gum Nebula (Gum 12) seen against the stars of the Milky Way galaxy. This translucent nebula is named for Australian astronomer Colin Stanley Gum (1924-1960). The Gum Nebula is an emission nebula that extends across 36° in the southern constellations Vela and Puppis. It is located approximately 1,500 light years from the Earth. Hard to distinguish, it was widely believed to be the greatly expanded (and still expanding) remains of a supernova that took place about a million years ago. 

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Caption Acknowledgements: ESO/Wikipedia

Release Date: Dec. 3, 2009

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