Imagine the Universe!

The Crab Nebula

Crab Nebula ROSAT HRI Image

(Credit: S. L. Snowden)

Both the Crab Nebula and Crab pulsar are clearly visible in this HRI image. The supernova precursor to these objects was observed by Chinese astronomers in the year 1054. The pulsar (the bright compact emission) produces highly relativistic electrons which themselves produce synchrotron radiation in the magnetic field of the nebula.

Get the high resolution (200 dpi) TIFF format version.

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Imagine the Universe! is a service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Alan Smale (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

The Imagine Team
Project Leader: Dr. Jim Lochner
Curator:Meredith Gibb
Responsible NASA Official:Phil Newman
All material on this site has been created and updated between 1997-2008.
Last Updated: Tuesday, 13-Nov-2001 16:06:15 EST