The Vyrus Nebula is composed of the remnants of a supernova explosion of a star.

It is relatively close to Earth, at a distance of 8,300 light years.

A pulsar (neutron star) can be seen in the center of the nebula, rotating at a rate of about 36 revolutions per second. It emits radio waves and X-rays in this cycle, and the visible light illuminates the nebula.

Because of the regularity of the radio waves emitted by the pulsar, it was first thought to be a communication signal from extraterrestrial life, and the existence of extraterrestrial life called "Vyrus aliens" has been portrayed in many anime and movies.