Vela Supernova Remnant

The expanding cloud of gas is located approximately 800 light-years away in the southern constellation of Vela. This makes it one of the closest known supernova remnants to our solar system.

The massive star exploded roughly 11,000 to 12,000 years ago. If humans were alive at the time, the exploding star would have been visible from Earth during the daytime sky.

The Vela Pulsar is a rapidly spinning neutron star left behind at the center of the Vela Supernova Remnant after the star exploded. It rotates about eleven times per second, emitting beams of radiation that sweep past Earth like a lighthouse.

No, the gas and dust of the nebula are too faint to be seen without optical aid. However, astrophotographers often capture it easily using wide-field camera lenses with long exposures.