M1      The Crab Nebula in Taurus (NGC 1952)

        Object type:             Supernova Remnant

        Distance from Earth:      6500 light years / 2000 parsecs

        Distance across Nebula:   7 light years / 2.2 parsecs



        The Crab Nebula is the remnants of a supernova that exploded in
        July 1054.  The supernova was visible for several weeks in broad
        daylight.  The star that remains is the first pulsar discovered. 
        Now known to be a neutron star, it rotates on its axis once every
        33 milliseconds.  The nebula shines brighter than 75,000 Suns.
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