The Crab Nebula is the most famous and conspicuous supernova remnant in our night sky.
Messier Number: M1
NGC Number: NGC 1952
Common Name: Crab Nebula
Object Type: Supernova Remnant
Distance in Light Years: 6,300
Constellation: Taurus
Apparent Magnitude: 8.4
Around the year 5246BC a star in the constellation of Taurus exploded, about 6,300 light years from Earth. The explosion was eventually observed in 1054AD as a very bright supernova, which today has developed as the Crab Nebula. It shines as a nebula of magnitude 8.4 near the southern “horn” of Taurus.
The Crab Nebula can easily be seen under clear dark skies, but can equally easily be lost in background light under less favourable conditions. With 7×50 or 10×50 binoculars, M1 is just visible as a dim patch. With a little more magnification, it is seen as a nebulous oval patch, surrounded by haze. In telescopes starting with a 4-inch aperture, some detail in its shape becomes apparent, with mottled patches and streaks towards the inner part. Messier’s impression was that M1 looks similar to a faint comet without a tail in smaller instruments. Under excellent conditions and with larger telescopes, from about 16 inches aperture, suggestions of the filaments and fine structure become visible.
