Messier 1, also known as the Crab Nebula, is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Taurus, around 6,500 light-years from Earth. It was cataloged by French astronomer Charles Messier in 1758 as the first object in his catalog of nebulae and star clusters, hence the name “M1.” The Crab Nebula is the result of a supernova explosion that was observed by Chinese and Arab astronomers in 1054 AD, who noted its unusual brightness, visible even during the daytime. The remnant spans approximately 11 light-years and is expanding at a rate of 1,500 kilometers per second. At its heart lies the Crab Pulsar, a rapidly spinning neutron star emitting intense beams of radiation. The nebula’s filaments are composed of ionized hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, creating intricate, colorful structures.
Telescope: 16″ f3.75 Dream Scope
Camera: FLI ML16803
Mount: ASA DDM85
Exposure: 9.5 hours (24x300s L + 3x15x300s RGB + 2x24x300s Ha&O3 )
Date: October 2024
Location: Southern Alps, France
Bart Delsaert - Astrophotography 