Object of the Season (Winter 2017)

The Crab Nebula (M1) in Taurus

The well-known Crab Nebula (M1) in Taurus was discovered by John Bevis in 1731. Messier saw it 1785 (the interesting story concerns comet Halley) and put in as the first entry in his famous catalogue. Though the supernova remnant of 1054 is an easy target, its filamentary structure is a real challenge.

This interactive image of M1 was provided by the Digitised Sky Survey (DSS) using Aladin Sky Atlas.
Name
M1
Position (2000)
05 34 31.9 +22 00 52 (Tau)
Type
Supernova Remnant
Magnitude
8.4
Size
6' x 4' (11 x 7 ly)
Distance
6500 ly
Other Designations
M1, NGC 1952, h 357, GC 1157, LBN 833, Sh2-244, CED 53, Taurus A

Results of the observations of M1 will be published in DSO 180.

Wolfgang Steinicke - Nebulae and Clusters Section Director