A new visualization using data from NASA’s “Great Observatories” provides an idea of what the Crab Nebula looks like in 3D. The Crab Nebula was the brightest “new star” when it was seen in 1054 AD after a massive star ran out of fuel and exploded. Today, astronomers know that the Crab is powered by a quickly spinning, highly magnetized neutron star called a pulsar. By combining data from Chandra, Hubble, and Spitzer, experts can piece together how the Crab may appear in three dimensions. Certain structures and processes, driven by the pulsar, are revealed by the X-ray, optical, and radio wavelengths each telescope detects. This visualization, created by NASA’s Universe of Learning program, demonstrates why different types of light are needed to fully explore objects in space.
