Southern Sky Gallery

Gum Nebula

Gum Nebula

Largest known nebula in terms of angular diameter as seen from Earth, extending over at least 40 degrees in the southern constellations Puppis and Vela. A complex of diffuse, glowing gas too faint to be seen with the unaided eye, it was discovered by the Australian-born astrophysicist Colin S. Gum, who published his findings in 1955. The Gum Nebula lies roughly 1,000 light-years from the Earth and may be the remnant of an ancient supernova--i.e., violently exploding star.

Also see a smaller region of this nebula and nebulosity around Gamma Velorum in the constellation Vela is the brightest Wolf-Rayet star in the sky.

Lens 28 mm
Exposure 30 Minutes
Film Kodak Supra 400
Date 24 February 2001
Guiding Phoenix Society Astrograph
Location Ahiaruhe, Carterton, New Zealand