Chandra Release - June 09, 2009

Visual Description: SNR 0104-72.3

The composite image of the supernova remnant SNR 0104-72.3 showcases a bright purple area at the center, shaped like a falling bird, which represents the supernova remnant itself. Around the supernova remnant are small light green-colored stars liberally sprinkled within the surrounding area. Around the stars are lovely pockets of pale red nebulosity. In this composite made of X-rays from Chandra shown in the purple and infrared data from Spitzer in the green and red, SNR 0104 looks unlike other likely Type Ia remnants found in our own Galaxy. The supernova - shown close up in a lower right inset -  is dominated by two bright lobes of emission (one to the upper right and the other to the lower left). There is a large amount of iron in these lobes that indicates SNR 0104 was likely formed by a Type Ia supernova.