Hubble captures incredible image of Cygnus supernova blast wave

The Hubble Space Telescope has beamed back countless breathtaking photos over the course of its 30-year mission. The latest example is an incredible image of a supernova blast wave that was around 2,600 light-years from Earth.

The powerful star explosion took place in the constellation Cygnus the Swan as a dying star was obliterated. The star was around 20 times more massive than our Sun and its devastating death likely occurred between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago.

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The beautiful photo shows just a small portion of the blast wave that remains in the wake of the astonishing astronomical event. In the millenia since the supernova the remnant has expanded 60 light-years from its center.

FILE PHOTO: The Hubble Space Telescope begins its separation from Space Shuttle Discovery. © NASA

Interestingly the remnant continues to expand at the impressive speed of 350 kilometers per second. As the star shrapnel from the explosion mixes with low-density interstellar material it creates the magnificent veil-like structure captured in the photo.

Way back in 1991 Hubble captured another image of the Cygnus supernova blast wave, capturing a tiny section of the remnant.

This 1991 Hubble image shows a small section of the Cygnus Loop. © NASA/Hubble

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