Our Approach
This picture is of the Cygnus Loop Nebula, taken by NASA’s Galaxy Evolution Explorer (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/galex/pia07902.html). The nebula lies about 1,500 light-years away, and is a supernova remnant, left over from a massive stellar explosion that occurred 5,000-8,000 years ago. The Cygnus Loop extends more than three times the size of the full moon in the night sky, and is tucked next to one of the ‘swan’s wings’ in the constellation of Cygnus.
The filaments of gas and dust visible here in ultraviolet light were heated by the shockwave from the supernova, which is still spreading outward from the original explosion. The original supernova would have been bright enough to be seen clearly from Earth with the naked eye.
Our Story
The “Big Bang Theory” necessarily assumes that the universe has a beginning. This is where I talk about ours. There are no limits to the topics.
Next Steps…
Please enjoy yourself!