Saturday, Mar 22, 2025

The Pencil Nebula (NGC 2736) is a remnant of the Vela Supernova, located 815 light-years away in the constellation of Vela. Its elongated shape results from the interaction of the supernova's shock wave, still expanding at over 500,000 km/h, with the interstellar medium. Composed of ionized hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, it glows in reddish and bluish tones. Visible with amateur telescopes, NGC 2736 reveals details of the evolution of stellar remnants and highlights the impact of supernovae on the formation of new elements in the universe.