description W50 Overview
W50 is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Aquila, approximately 18,000 light-years from Earth. The nebula has a distinctive elongated, somewhat rectangular shape that spans about 350 light-years across, making it one of the largest supernova remnants in our galaxy. At its center lies the microquasar SS 433, a binary system containing a black hole or neutron star orbiting a massive companion star, which ejects jets of material at significant fractions of the speed of light. These jets interact with the supernova remnant, contributing to W50's unusual morphology and making it an object of study for astronomers investigating stellar evolution and relativistic jets.
help W50 FAQ
What is SS 433 and how is it connected to the W50 nebula?
SS 433 is a microquasar — a binary star system containing a black hole or neutron star — whose powerful jets of matter are physically deforming the W50 supernova remnant. These jets have stretched W50 into an elongated shape that distinguishes it from more typical circular supernova remnants.
Where in the sky is the W50 supernova remnant located?
W50 is located in the constellation Aquila within the Milky Way galaxy. Its association with the microquasar SS 433 has made it one of the most studied supernova remnants in radio and X-ray astronomy.
How old is the W50 supernova remnant?
Astronomers estimate that W50 is tens of thousands of years old, dating from a supernova explosion in our galaxy. The remnant remains dynamically active because of ongoing energy input from the jets associated with SS 433.
Why is W50 sometimes informally called the Manatee Nebula?
W50 has been nicknamed the Manatee Nebula because its elongated, lobed shape — distorted by SS 433's jets — resembles a manatee when viewed in radio telescope imagery. The comparison was popularized through observations from facilities such as the VLA (Very Large Array).
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