Vela Supernova Remnant, 2011 (digital photo)

Creator: Marco Lorenzi The image is composed of an intricate structure, the aftermath of a supernova explosion – the violent death of a star many times more massive than the Sun. It took place over 10,000 years ago. The expanding shell of debris and gas now covers an area that’s 20 times wider than the disc of the full Moon. ‘This is a lovely picture of the Vela Supernova Remnant, so far as I know not quite the same as anything else in the sky. This splendid picture shows the details clearly.’ Sir Patrick Moore Born digital photograph entitled 'Vela Supernova Remnant', by Marco Lorenzi, dated 5th February 2011 Pentax 67 DEIF 300 mm (12-inch) telescope; FLI Proline 16803 CCD camera Winner of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year Deep Space category 2011