Vela Supernova Remnant

The Vela Supernova Remnant is a supernova remnant in the southern constellation Vela. Its source Type II supernova exploded approximately 11,000 years ago (and was about 900 light-years away).^[1] The association of the Vela supernova remnant with the Vela Pulsar, made by astronomers at the University of Sydney in 1968,^[2] was direct observational evidence that supernovae form neutron stars.

Vela Supernova Remnant

Diffuse nebula
supernova remnant
The Vela Supernova Remnant
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Right ascension	08h 35m 20.66s
Declination	−45° 10′ 35.2″
Distance	936+62 −55 ly   (287+19 −17[1] pc)
Apparent magnitude (V)	12
Apparent dimensions (V)	8 degrees (approx.)
Constellation	Vela
Designations	Vela XYZ, Gum 16, SNR G263.9-03.3, 1E 0840.0-4430, RE J083854-430902
See also: Lists of nebulae

The Vela Supernova Remnant includes NGC 2736. Viewed from Earth, the Vela Supernova Remnant overlaps the Puppis A supernova remnant, which is four times more distant. Both the Puppis and Vela remnants are among the largest and brightest features in the X-ray sky.

The Vela Supernova Remnant is one of the closest known to us. The Geminga pulsar is closer (and also resulted from a supernova), and in 1998 another near-Earth supernova remnant was discovered, RX J0852.0-4622, which from Earth's point of view appears to be contained in the southeastern part of the Vela remnant. This remnant was not seen earlier because when viewed in most wavelengths, it is lost in the Vela remnant.^[3]

Gallery

• 
  Position of Vela in the Milky Way
• 
  Vela Supernova Remnant, imaged by ROSAT
• 
  Color enhanced image of the remnant with eROSITA. The bright blue object on the upper right is Puppis A. The blue circular nebula on the lower left is "Vela Junior" RX J0852.0−4622.

See also

• CG 4
• List of supernova remnants
• List of supernovae