Vela Group

Hidden in the southern sky, the constellation Vela hides a cosmic gem – the remnant of a spectacular supernova explosion that occurred 11,000 years ago. This mesmerizing image, captured in breathtaking detail by the Very Large Telescope, shows a swirl of pink and orange filaments, reminiscent of a celestial bird frozen in time. (Credit: ESO/VPHAS+ Team: CASU)

A supernova explosion that looks spectacular even after 11,000 years

When massive stars reach the end of their lives, they explode as supernovae, shedding their outer layers. These explosions send shock waves through the surrounding gas, compressing and reshaping it, creating spectacular displays.