Der Krebs-Nebel - ein Prüfstein für Supernova-Modellvorstellungen.

The Crab nebula is characterized in a general review of recent observational and theoretical investigations. The proposed mechanisms of supernova explosions of types I and II are summarized; the discrepancies between the observed mass (about 3 solar mass), composition, and expansion dynamics (present velocity 1500 km/s, with an increase over the last 40 yr) and its classification as a type II supernova remnant, and between recent optical and X-ray observations are explored; and the interaction of the Crab pulsar with the surrounding material is discussed in detail. Graphs, diagrams, and optical and X-ray images are provided.