Kepler's Supernova Remnant in X Rays
Credit & Copyright: X-ray:
NASA/CXC/NCSU/M. Burkey et al.
Optical:
DSS
Explanation:
What caused this mess?
Some type of star exploded to create the unusually shaped nebula known as
Kepler's supernova remnant,
but which type?
Light from the
stellar explosion
that created this energized cosmic cloud was first seen on planet
Earth in October 1604, a mere
four hundred years
ago.
The
supernova produced a bright new star
in early 17th century skies within the constellation Ophiuchus.
It was studied by astronomer
Johannes Kepler
and his contemporaries, without the benefit of a telescope, as they
searched for an
explanation
of the heavenly apparition.
Armed with a modern understanding of
stellar evolution, early 21st century
astronomers continue to explore the expanding debris cloud, but can now use
orbiting space telescopes to survey Kepler's supernova remnant (SNR)
across the spectrum.
Recent
X-ray data and
images
of Kepler's supernova remnant taken by the orbiting
Chandra X-ray Observatory has shown relative elemental abundances typical of
a
Type Ia supernova, and further indicated that the progenitor was a
white dwarf star that exploded
when it accreted too much material from a companion
Red Giant star and went over
Chandrasekhar's limit.
About 13,000 light years away,
Kepler's supernova
represents the most recent stellar explosion seen to
occur
within
our Milky Way galaxy.
Cosmonova:
APOD editor to speak in Sweden on May 28
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.
