The Mermaid Nebula Supernova Remnant

The Mermaid Nebula Supernova Remnant

Image Credit & Copyright:
Neil Corke;
Text: Natalia Lewandowska
(SUNY Oswego)

Explanation:
New
stars are
born from the
remnants of
dead
stars.

The gaseous remnant of the
gravitational collapse and subsequent death of a very
massive star in our
Milky Way created the
G296.5+10.0
supernova remnant,
of which the
featured Mermaid Nebula is part.

Also known as the
Betta Fish Nebula, the Mermaid Nebula makes up part of an unusual
subclass of supernova remnants that are
two-sided and nearly circular.

Originally
discovered in
X-rays,
the filamentary nebula is a frequently studied source also in
radio and
gamma-ray light.

The blue color visible here originates from
doubly ionized oxygen (OIII), while
the deep red is emitted by
hydrogen gas.

The nebula’s mermaid-like shape has proven to be
useful for measurements of the
interstellar magnetic field.