                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                              2024 September 18
   A starfield is shown with a long blue-glowing nebula taking up much of
   the frame. The nebula appears, to some, similar to a fish or a mermaid.
          Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                    The Mermaid Nebula Supernova Remnant
    Image Credit & Copyright: Neil Corke; Text: Natalia Lewandowska (SUNY
                                   Oswego)

   Explanation: New stars are born from the remnants of dead stars. The
   gaseous remnant of the gravitational collapse and subsequent death of a
   very massive star in our Milky Way created the G296.5+10.0 supernova
   remnant, of which the featured Mermaid Nebula is part. Also known as
   the Betta Fish Nebula, the Mermaid Nebula makes up part of an unusual
   subclass of supernova remnants that are two-sided and nearly circular.
   Originally discovered in X-rays, the filamentary nebula is a frequently
   studied source also in radio and gamma-ray light. The blue color
   visible here originates from doubly ionized oxygen (OIII), while the
   deep red is emitted by hydrogen gas. The nebula's mermaid-like shape
   has proven to be useful for measurements of the interstellar magnetic
   field.

                       Tomorrow's picture: open space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

