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E0102-72.3:
In Perspective
Color composite of the supernova
remnant E0102-72: X-ray (blue), optical (green),
and radio (red). E0102-72 is the remnant of a
star that exploded in a nearby galaxy known as the
Small Magellanic Cloud. The galaxy is
approximately 190,000 light years from Earth, so we see
the remnant as it was about 190,000 years ago, around a
thousand years after the explosion occurred
The star exploded outward at speeds in excess of 20
million kilometers per hr (12 million mph) and collided
with surrounding gas. This collision produced two
shock waves, or cosmic sonic booms one traveling
outward, and the other rebounding back into the
material ejected by the explosion.
The radio image was made using the Australia Telescope
Compact Array. The radio waves are due to
extremely high-energy electrons spiraling around
magnetic field lines in the gas and trace the outward
moving shock wave.
The Chandra X-ray image, shown in blue, shows gas that
has been heated to millions of degrees Celsius by the
rebounding, or reverse shock wave. The X-ray data
show that this gas is rich in oxygen and neon. These
elements were created by nuclear reactions inside the
star and hurled into space by the supernova.
The Hubble Space Telescope optical image shows dense
clumps of oxygen gas that have "cooled" to about 30,000
degree Celsius.
Images such as these, taken with different types of
telescopes, give astronomers a much more complete
picture of supernova explosions. They can
map how the elements necessary for life are dispersed,
and measure the energy of the matter as it expands into
the galaxy.
Chandra X-ray Observatory Advanced CCD Imaging
Spectrometer Image (ACIS)
Reference: T. J. Gaetz et
al. 2000, "Chandra X-ray Observatory Arsecond Imaging of the Young Oxygen-Rich Supernova Remnant 1E0102.2-7219", Astrophysical Journal Letters, 534,
L47.
| Fast Facts for E0102-72.3: |
| Credit |
X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO, Optical: NASA/HST, Radio: CSIRO/ATNF/ATCA |
| Scale |
Image is 1 arcmin on a side. |
| Category |
Supernovas & Supernova Remnants |
| Coordinates (J2000) |
RA 01h 04m 02.40s | Dec -72° 01' 55.30 |
| Constellation |
Tucana |
| Color Code |
Different colors for each wavelength |
| Instrument |
ACIS |
| Also Known As | SN010102-72 |
| Distance Estimate |
190,000 light years |
| Release Date |
April 10, 2000 |
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