Vela Supernova Remnant (SNR) – Highway & Spur

Vela Supernova Remnant’s Highway & Spur; captured from SPACE Atacama Desert on 19 March 2026

Fun facts

The Vela supernova remnant is a supernova remnant in the southern constellation Vela. Its source Type II supernova exploded approximately 11,000 years ago (and was about 900 light-years away). The association of the Vela supernova remnant with the Vela pulsar, made by astronomers at the University of Sydney in 1968, was direct observational evidence that supernovae form neutron stars.

The Vela supernova remnant is one of the closest known to us. The Geminga pulsar is closer (and also resulted from a supernova), and in 1998 another near-Earth supernova remnant was discovered, RX J0852.0-4622, which from our point of view appears to be contained in the southeastern part of the Vela remnant. This remnant was not seen earlier because when viewed in most wavelengths, it is lost in the Vela remnant.

Position of Vela in the Milky Way

Distance: ~936 light years
Apparent Magnitude: 12
Apparent Dimensions: 8 degrees (approximately
Constellation: Vela
Designations: Vela XYZ, Gum 16, SNR G263.9-03.3, 1E 0840.0-4430, RE J083854-430902
{ From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vela_Supernova_Remnant }

The book, Imaging the Southern Sky by Stephen Chadwick & Ian Cooper (an EXCELLENT reference that I used to plan all my targets for this trip) describes the Vela Supernova Remnant on pp 34-54, including an overall image and reference chart shown below.

Imaging the Southern Sky’s Figure 2-4 showing the Vela Supernova Remnant
Imaging the Southern Sky’s Figure 2-4 showing the Vela Supernova Remnant
  1. Gum20
  2. Crest and the Bridge
  3. Twin Crescents and the Bypass
  4. Highway and the Spur
  5. Pencil Nebula
  6. Spiral Flame Nebula

Reference Chart #4: Highway and the Spur: Chadwick & Cooper Vela SNR reference chart p. 36 – this image captures the eastern half including #2 Crest and Bridge, #4 Highway and the Spur, and half of #3 Twin Crescents and the Bypass (much like my capture of the Crest and the Bridge did!)

The field was made famous by David Malin at the Anglo-Australian Observatory in the 1980’s.  The section of the Highway, next to SAO 219995 is one of the brightest visually and can be a good starting point for a grand tour of the Vela SNR.  Further south, we have the Fork, where the highway splits off to the incredibly thin Spur. 
{From: Imaging the Southern Sky; Stephen Chadwick and Ian Cooper; pp. 45-47}

Location: #4 Highway and the Spur: RA: 8h 30m 0.0s / Dec: -44° 58’ 18”
Distance: 650 light years
Apparent dimensions: (Field size of Chadwick&Cooper images)
Highway and the Spur: 2.1° x 1.7°
Constellation: Vela
{From: Imaging the Southern Sky; Stephen Chadwick and Ian Cooper; pp. 32-54}

Capture & Processing Notes

Another successful night of data capture during the 2026 Atacama Desert trip.  I started the polar alignment at 20:21 – there were clouds passing through the FOV of the Polemaster camera (interesting sight).  Once they were through, even though it wasn’t very dark, I could see Sigma Octantis and its surrounding stars.  I did the polar alignment (which required virtually no movement of the mount), then disconnected and reconnected the Polemaster to repeat.  Completed the process of two polar alignment runs during the period 20:21 – 20:28. 

At 20:32, started SGP: connected equipment, (20:33) run sequence: EAF#1 (5932 to 6165), plate solve (1.95°, 1163.3px) resolved the second time, resume AG (no calibration – 5.17 HFD, 143.8 SNR), EAF#2 (6165 to 6148).  At 20:48, Event 1/Frame 1 of Vela SNR Highway & Spur began data collection

Came back out at 22:20 to do the meridian flip, the sequence had captured 19/70 subframes.  Ended sequence, slewed telescope to correct parking position (0°, 90°), disconnected equipment, validated cable connections, reconnected equipment.  Restarted sequence at 22:24CDT: plate solve (2.14°, 657 px; resolved on second pass), resume AG, EAF (6068 to 6066).  At 22:29 Event1/Frame20 started.  Came out and ended sequence at 02:45 to switch to Barnard 72 Snake Nebula.

Sequence plan: Gain 158, Offset 30, Temp 0°C; 66x5min, 330min (5:30hrs); Collected 19Mar2026, 20:45 Chilean Daytime Time (CDT) – 20Mar2026, 02:44CDT.

Processing summary: Captured with SGP. Stacked in APP. Star removal with Starnet++. Processed in LR/PS

Equipment

All equipment controlled by HP Probook (DSO CTRL 1) Windows 11 laptop running Sequence Generator Pro v4.4.0.1441.  

  • Imaging (ASI2400-SC420):  ZWO ASI2400MC imaging camera; (Southern Cross) Askar FRA600 108mm; f/5.6 Quintuplet Petzval Flat-Field Astrograph with Askar 0.7x reducer for FRA600
  • Mount: Rainbow Astro RST-135E (controlled by iHubo ASCOM driver)
  • Polar alignment: QHYCCD camera (controlled by Polemaster for polar alignment)
  • Autoguiding:  Orion 60mm Multi-Use Guide Scope with ZWO ASI120MM mini mono camera (controlled by PHD2)
  • Autofocuser: ZWO EAF Electronic Automatic Focuser (EAF-5V-STD) 

Summary

Captured: 19 March 2026, 20:45 Chilean Daytime Time (CDT) – 20Mar2026, 02:44CDT. 66x5min, 330min (5:30hrs).
Shooting location: SPACE Atacama Lodge, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Equipment: ZWO ASI2400MC imaging camera; (Southern Cross-420mm) Askar FRA600 108mm; f/5.6 Quintuplet Petzval Flat-Field Astrograph with Askar 0.7x reducer for FRA600; Rainbow Astro 135E mount
Processing summary: Captured in SGP, stacked in APP (Adaptive Airy), star removal with Starnet++, processing with LR/PS