Where in the Universe?

June 25, 2008

Almost 1,000 years ago, a massive star in the constellation Taurus exploded. The burst of light was so bright that for 23 days it was visible in broad daylight. Astronomers in China and Japan noted the phenomenon, which also inspired artwork by American Indians living in what later became Arizona and New Mexico. When star-cataloger Charles Messier spotted it in 1758, he thought he’d found a comet. More recently, astronomers discovered a massive rotating neutron star hiding inside. Where am I?

Comments

[Dave Mosher]

Well, I'm not cheating by using the internet (yet), but that picture looks like the Crab Nebula to me...

[Random Comment Generator]

Hm. At first I was going to say Supernova Your Guess Is Good As Mine (ya know, exploded star), but then you said there's a neutron star inside. So, can I get a scale reference? It's bigger than a breadbox, but is it smaller than a galaxy?

[birdwatch]

if your loaf of bread is 11 light years and growing, it'll fit here.
ik

[birdwatch]

The Crab Nebula is correct. Good eye, Dave, or do you need to get out more?

[PAULO DE LACERDA,Ph.D]

Dear Mrs Irene,

Greetings!

Pls let us know something new and amazing in your scientific cronicles concerning Dark Matter xDark Energy differences for lay people better knowledge astronomical update data!!!1

Regards,

Prof.Paulo de Lacerda,Ph.D
Brazil