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N49B:
Supernova Remnant Reveals Magnesium in Abundance
The Chandra image of N49B (left), the remains of an exploded star, shows a cloud of multimillion degree gas that has been expanding for about 10,000 years. A specially processed version of this image (right) reveals unexpectedly large concentrations of the element magnesium (blue-green).
Magnesium, created deep inside the star and ejected in the supernova explosion, is usually associated with correspondingly high concentrations of oxygen. However, the Chandra data indicate that the amount of oxygen in N49B is not exceptional. This poses a puzzle as to how the excess magnesium was created, or, alternatively, how the excess oxygen has escaped detection.
The amount of magnesium in N49B is estimated to be about equal to the total mass of the Sun. Since the Sun contains only about 0.1% of magnesium by mass, the total mass of magnesium N49B is about a thousand times that in the Sun and its planets.
Magnesium, the eighth most abundant material in the Earth's crust, is a mineral needed by every cell of our bodies. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, and bones strong. It is also involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Fortunately for us, and thanks to stars such as the one that produced N49B, there is an abundant supply of magnesium in the Universe.
| Fast Facts for N49B: |
| Credit |
NASA/CXC/Penn State/S.Park et al. |
| Scale |
Each panel is 3.25 arcmin per side |
| Category |
Supernovas and Supernova Remnants |
| Coordinates (J2000) |
RA 05h 25m 26.04s | Dec -65º 59' 06.90" |
| Constellation |
Dorado |
| Observation Date |
September 15, 2001 |
| Observation Time |
8.3 hours |
| Obs. ID |
1041 |
| Color Code |
Energy (Left panel: Red 0.3-0.8keV, Green 0.8-1.5keV, Blue 1.5-3.0 keV;
Right panel: Pink 0.3-3.0keV; Cyan/Blue = Mg) |
| Instrument |
ACIS |
| Reference |
S. Park et al, 2003 Astrophys. J. 592, L41 |
| Distance Estimate |
160,000 light years (distance to Large Magellanic Cloud) |
| Also Known As |
SNR 0525-66.0 |
| Release Date |
March 24, 2004 |
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