M1M1The Crab Nebula. The remains of a supernova that exploded in 1054. The occurance was well documented by the Chinese who reported it to have been visible in broad daylight for a month! Inconceivable that the Europeans didn't see it.
It was first noted telescopically by Lord Rosse in 1845 who likened it to a crab and the name has stuck. The supernova has left a Neutron star at the centre, spinning at about 30 times/sec.
Taken with an H9C on an 80ED and acquired and processed in AstroArt3 on 12.12.07. The exposure was 5x600sec.