This is the mess that is left when a star explodes.
The Crab Nebula , the result of a
supernova seen in
1054 AD ,
is filled with
mysterious filaments.
The filaments are not only
tremendously complex, but appear to have
less mass than expelled in the original supernova and a
higher speed than expected from a free explosion.
The above image ,
taken by the Hubble Space Telescope ,
is presented in three colors chosen for scientific interest.
The Crab Nebula spans about 10 light-years .
In the nebula's very center lies a
pulsar : a
neutron star as massive as the
Sun
but with only the size of a
small town .
The Crab Pulsar rotates about 30 times each second.
