Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
Deutsche Version MPE HEG X-Ray Astronomy Wave ROSAT Gallery ROSAT Calendar Images 1992
The Two Supernova Remnants Vela and Puppis-A
Two supernova remnants are clearly seen in this image. The larger is the Vela SNR, which covers most of the field. The smaller is the Puppis SNR, which is superimposed on the Vela SNR and is the bright enhancement at the upper right of the image. Vela, at a distance of roughly 1500 light years, is relatively nearby. It is about 11,000 years old and has a diameter of 230 light years. ROSAT observations showed for the first time that Vela is roughly circular; previously only the brighter regions in the upper and left hand sides of the figure had been detected. Puppis is about four times farther from the Sun than Vela.
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ROSAT (Röntgensatellit) 1992
Images from the X-ray sky with the ROSAT telescope · All rights reserved:
© Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Postfach 1603, 85740 Garching, Germany.
The X-ray images are produced by the SASS/EXSAS software MPE, ESO-MIDAS.
The ROSAT project is managed by the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany on behalf of the Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie (BMBF).
© X-Ray Group at MPE (group)
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