Crab Nebula

Filaments of gas and dust form a web-like cocoon known as the Crab Nebula in the constellation Taurus in this image from Hubble Space Telescope. The nebula was born when a massive star exploded as a supernova in the year 1054 (as seen from Earth). Today, it continues to expand into the galaxy at high speed, seeding the Milky Way with heavy elements that may be incorporated into new stars and planets. The nebula spans about 10 light-years, and surrounds the original star's crushed core, known as a neutron star. [NASA/ESA/J. Hester/A. Loll (ASU)]