Object: M1 - The Crab Nebula
Class: Supernova Remnant
Constellation: Taurus
Magnitude: 8.4
R.A.: 05 h 34 m 32 s
Dec: 22 deg 00 min 52 sec
Size/Spectral: 6’ x 4’
Distance: 6500 ly
Optics needed: A small telescope will allow you to see
this object, but for this one, the more aperture the better!
Why this is interesting:
M1, the first object In Charles Messier’s list of objects (added in 1758) is the remnant of a star that went supernova in the year 1054. Based on what we now know about the nebula, it is believed that the supernova may have been as bright as –7 magnitude, much brighter than Venus at its brightest (-5 mag). While the Messier list includes many objects of many kinds, M1 is the only supernova remnant in the list. So, while you may see other nebulous (cloud-like) objects when you observe the Messier list, all the others represent star forming regions — areas in which new stars are being born.