Crab Nebula

noun

, Astronomy.

1. the remnant of a supernova explosion, observed in 1054 a.d., in the constellation Taurus.

Crab Nebula

noun

1. the expanding remnant of the supernova observed in 1054 ad , lying in the constellation Taurus at an approximate distance of 6500 light years

Word History and Origins

Origin of Crab Nebula¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

This will mark Hubble's first look at emission lines from the Crab Nebula in over 20 years, and will enable astronomers to more accurately compare Webb and Hubble's findings.

From Science Daily

The Crab Nebula is among the most interesting and well studied objects in astronomy.

From Salon

Weisskopf explained in a prelaunch news conference on Dec. 7 that inside the Crab Nebula is a lighthouse-like pulsing beacon, which is actually the corpse of the star that created the nebula.

From Scientific American

Scientists have been observing these high-energy particles from the Crab Nebula for decades, though none had been this energetic.

From Scientific American

The timing of the new research paper is fortuitous given that next week marks the 967-year anniversary of the supernova explosion that created the Crab Nebula, first observed on July 4, 1054.

From Salon