Exploded Star

Overview

Six thousand light-years away in space lies the Crab Nebula, a patch of spreading gas which is all that is left of a star which was seen to explode in 1054. The most famous of all supernova remnants, it has always been of interest to astronomers, but new techniques developed recently have further increased its importance. Patrick Moore talks to Dr Simon Mitton about supernovae and their role in the manufacture of the heavy elements from which worlds such as our own Earth are made.