Crab nebula outbursts shock astronomers

Spacecraft detect powerful gamma-ray flares from a supernova remnant known for its steady glow

HEIDELBERG, Germany — Astronomers consider the Crab nebula one of the steadiest sources of high-energy radiation in the universe. Radiation from the supernova remnant is believed to be so constant that astronomers use it as a standard candle with which to measure the energetic radiation of other astronomical sources.