Medulla Nebula, LBN 576
This beautiful object is maybe one of the faintest I have captured so far. I was fortunate to have a very clear night last night. It's the first object I have captured where the initial images (5 minute exposures) showed only stars, at least with Oiii filter. Only after combining dozens of them did nebulosity finally start to emerge.
Overview
The Medulla Nebula is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Cassiopeia. Discovered as a radio source around 1960, it's estimated to be the aftermath of a Type II supernova from a massive progenitor star (13–15 M☉) that exploded roughly 10,000 years ago.
Nickname and Appearance
Named the Medulla Nebula due to its resemblance—on long exposures—to a cross-section of the human brain and spinal cord (medulla oblongata).
Physical Characteristics
It spans about half a degree—roughly the apparent size of the full Moon. At its estimated distance, this corresponds to a large physical size.
Pulsar and Dynamics
Observations reveal a radio pulsar, PSR J0002+6216, born from the same supernova. It travels at ~1100 km/s, likely propelled by an asymmetric explosion.
It is connected to CTB 1 via a distinctly narrow, comet-like radio emission tail—the so-called bow-shock pulsar wind nebula—pointing back to the explosion’s geometric center.
Morphology
Classified as a mixed-morphology supernova remnant: radio observations show a hollow shell, while X-ray emission is more centralized and compact—suggesting complex interior structure.
Emission Properties
Visible-light glow arises from the heated gas shell interacting with surrounding interstellar medium.
The nebula also emits in X-rays. The source of this X-ray emission remains uncertain, with one hypothesis proposing a pulsar wind from the central pulsar as the energy source.
History & Discovery
First identified in radio surveys dating back to 1960. Confirmed in 1968 as a supernova remnant by A. Poveda and L. Woltjer."
Sources
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) archives
DeepSkyCorner astronomical object database
RC-Astro imaging resources
Peer-reviewed studies on supernova remnants and pulsar dynamics
Historical radio survey data and classification papers
Acquisition
Location: North East USA
Askar 120APO with .8 reducer: 660 f/5.5
ZWO ASI533MM Mono Camera at -20C
Guided on ZWO AM5
11 hours total integration collected on 8/23 & 8/31/2025:
12x15s R/G/B filters
37xHa, 73xOiii, 22xSii @5m
Captured with N.I.N.A. processed with PixInsight, Ps
Medulla Nebula, LBN 576
This beautiful object is maybe one of the faintest I have captured so far. I was fortunate to have a very clear night last night. It's the first object I have captured where the initial images (5 minute exposures) showed only stars, at least with Oiii filter. Only after combining dozens of them did nebulosity finally start to emerge.
Overview
The Medulla Nebula is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Cassiopeia. Discovered as a radio source around 1960, it's estimated to be the aftermath of a Type II supernova from a massive progenitor star (13–15 M☉) that exploded roughly 10,000 years ago.
Nickname and Appearance
Named the Medulla Nebula due to its resemblance—on long exposures—to a cross-section of the human brain and spinal cord (medulla oblongata).
Physical Characteristics
It spans about half a degree—roughly the apparent size of the full Moon. At its estimated distance, this corresponds to a large physical size.
Pulsar and Dynamics
Observations reveal a radio pulsar, PSR J0002+6216, born from the same supernova. It travels at ~1100 km/s, likely propelled by an asymmetric explosion.
It is connected to CTB 1 via a distinctly narrow, comet-like radio emission tail—the so-called bow-shock pulsar wind nebula—pointing back to the explosion’s geometric center.
Morphology
Classified as a mixed-morphology supernova remnant: radio observations show a hollow shell, while X-ray emission is more centralized and compact—suggesting complex interior structure.
Emission Properties
Visible-light glow arises from the heated gas shell interacting with surrounding interstellar medium.
The nebula also emits in X-rays. The source of this X-ray emission remains uncertain, with one hypothesis proposing a pulsar wind from the central pulsar as the energy source.
History & Discovery
First identified in radio surveys dating back to 1960. Confirmed in 1968 as a supernova remnant by A. Poveda and L. Woltjer."
Sources
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) archives
DeepSkyCorner astronomical object database
RC-Astro imaging resources
Peer-reviewed studies on supernova remnants and pulsar dynamics
Historical radio survey data and classification papers
Acquisition
Location: North East USA
Askar 120APO with .8 reducer: 660 f/5.5
ZWO ASI533MM Mono Camera at -20C
Guided on ZWO AM5
11 hours total integration collected on 8/23 & 8/31/2025:
12x15s R/G/B filters
37xHa, 73xOiii, 22xSii @5m
Captured with N.I.N.A. processed with PixInsight, Ps