X-ray Hot Supernova Remnant in the SMC
Explanation:
The Q-shaped cloud seen in
this false-color X-ray image
from the orbiting Chandra Observatory is big ... about
40
light-years across.
It's hot too, as its
X-ray glow is produced by multi-million
degree gas.
Cataloged as E0102-72, this cosmic Q is likely a
several thousand year old
supernova remnant, the
result of the death explosion of a massive star.
A supernova can dramatically affect its galactic
environment, triggering
star formation
and
enriching
the local interstellar medium with newly
synthesized elements.
This supernova remnant is
located about 210,000 light-years away in our neighboring galaxy, the
Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), so the detailed Chandra
X-ray image
is impressive - particularly as it reveals
what appear to be strange spoke-like
structures radiating from the remnant's center.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
