The gorgeous Hubble image captures the striking colors of the Veil Nebula.

      This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image reveals the renowned supernova remnant known as the Veil Nebula, a popular subject of photography.

      ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Sankrit

      A captivating cosmic spectacle displays its vibrant colors in this latest image from Hubble. The Veil Nebula is the remnant of a massive star that detonated in a supernova roughly 10,000 years ago, resulting in a stunning formation of dust and gas that resembles delicate draping, which is how it acquired its name. The progenitor star was immense, with a mass 20 times that of our sun, and its explosion was so brilliant that it would have outshone Venus in Earth's sky, despite being 2,400 light-years distant. The remnants of this explosion have gradually spread over time, forming the structure we observe today.

      Hubble has captured images of the Veil Nebula in the past, with the most recent being in 2015; however, this current image focuses on a smaller section of the nebula, showcasing it in greater detail. The various colors in the image signify the presence of different elements within the nebula, allowing scientists to trace the unique chemistry of the area.

      In the image presented below, Hubble again reveals the famous supernova remnant, the Veil Nebula.

      ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Sankrit

      “This view integrates images taken through three different filters by Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3, emphasizing emissions from hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen atoms. The image depicts only a small segment of the Veil Nebula; if viewed in its entirety without a telescope, it would span the width of six full Moons arranged side by side,” explain Hubble scientists.

      “To create this image, Hubble utilized three filters to highlight the elements present, offering insight into the nebula's evolution over decades. By comparing this snapshot with Hubble's observations from 1994, researchers can track the movement of individual gas knots and filaments over the years, which enhances our understanding of this extraordinary nebula.”

      You can also compare this image with the original photographs Hubble captured in 1994 and 1997, which showcase different sections of the nebula:

      NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has documented three magnificent areas of the Veil Nebula – the explosive remnants of a supernova that occurred thousands of years ago. This series of images provides beautifully detailed views of the intricate, wispy structure resulting from this cosmic explosion. NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration; Acknowledgment: J. Hester (Arizona State University)

      With over three decades passing since some of these images were taken, scientists can observe the changes in structure over time and illustrate how Hubble continues to capture breathtaking images of the universe, edging closer to its 35th launch anniversary.

      Georgina has served as a space writer for Digital Trends for six years, focusing on human space exploration and planetary…

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