Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > A Dictionary of Astronomy > January 1997

Gum Nebula

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | 606 words | Copyright

Gum Nebula A large, almost circular emission nebula in the constellations Vela and Puppis, discovered by the Australian astronomer Colin Stanley Gum (1924–60). The Gum Nebula is 36 ° across and is estimated to be 1300 l.y. away, which gives it a true diameter of about 800 l.y. It is expanding at 20 km/s, and is thought to have been formed by a supernova explosion over 1 million years ago. It contains the Vela OB2 association, the hot stars of which may cause it to shine. The Vela Supernova Remnant and the Vela Pulsar are embedded within the Gum Nebula, but are much younger.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Gum Nebula." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Gum Nebula." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-GumNebula.html

"Gum Nebula." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-GumNebula.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: