Discover the Vela Supernova Remnant through the VLT Survey Telescope's Lens

The Vela supernova remnant, a breathtaking celestial phenomenon, is captured in this mesmerizing image by the VLT Survey Telescope. Showcasing an intricate fusion of hot pink and golden orange stringy clouds, the scene resembles a tangled spider's web. Amidst these vibrant clouds, bright blue massive stars emerge, while gaps between the clouds reveal blue and yellow stars, akin to twinkling sparklers.

This spectacular image offers a detailed view of the Vela supernova remnant's orange and pink clouds, remnants of a massive star's explosive demise. Comprising 554 million pixels, the image is a mosaic of observations taken by the 268-million-pixel OmegaCAM camera at the VLT Survey Telescope, located at ESO's Paranal Observatory.

The OmegaCAM camera is capable of capturing images through multiple filters, enabling the telescope to perceive light emitted in various distinct colors. For this particular image, four filters were used, represented by a blend of magenta, blue, green, and red. This combination results in an incredibly detailed and striking view of both the gaseous filaments within the remnant and the foreground's radiant blue stars, adding a touch of sparkle to the captivating image.

Image Credit: ESO/VPHAS+ team. Acknowledgement: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit