Astronomy Picture of the Day 4-5-02

NASA ^ | 4-5-02 | Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell

[petuniasevan]

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2002 April 5

Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglow: Supernova Connection
Credit: HST Image: D.W. Fox, J.S. Bloom, S.R. Kulkarni (Caltech), et al.
XMM Result: J.N. Reeves, D. Watson, J.P. Osborne (University of Leicester), et al.

Explanation: What causes the mysterious gamma-ray bursts? Indicated in this Hubble Space Telescope exposure of an otherwise unremarkable field in the constellation Crater, is the dwindling optical afterglow of a gamma-ray burst first detected by the Beppo-SAX satellite on 2001 December 11. The burst's host galaxy, billions of light-years distant, is the faint smudge extending above and to the left of the afterglow position. After rapidly catching the fading x-ray light from the burst with the orbiting XMM-Newton observatory, astronomers are now reporting the telltale signatures of elements magnesium, silicon, sulphur, argon, and calcium - material most likely found in an expanding debris cloud produced by the explosion of a massive star. The exciting result is evidence that the gamma-ray burst itself is linked to a very energetic supernova explosion which may have preceded the powerful flash of gamma-rays by up to a few days.

[petuniasevan]

Until very recently, the cause of gamma ray bursts was hotly debated.

Now it seems they are indeed distant (in space and time) events.

As always, ask to be added to the APOD PING list or
subscribe to the General Interest topic "Astronomy Picture of the Day".

[petuniasevan]

APOD PING!

[Graewoulf]

This is such a great time to be alive, with so many "discoveries" coming in!

[RightWhale]

it seems they are indeed distant (in space and time) events.

Let's hope it stays that way. Very, very distant. It might be that conditions are not right for such events in the Milky Way anymore.

Although the supernova event seems to be an incubator for the heavier elements such as make up earth, and ourselves. Who knows, there may be a form of life there now, although it would probably be just rock-eating bacteria.

[2Trievers]

The other Nova ...

1968 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS

[Slip18]

This is really great, petuniasevan! Thanks for the ping.

[aomagrat]

That brings back memories. My first car was a 1969 Chevrolet Nova 350 SS Coupe. It got about 5 miles to the gallon.

[2Trievers]

LOL ... outta' sight! &;-)

[Tennessee_Bob]

It needs a text box added - YOU ARE NOT HERE

[MozartLover]

Bumpa nova.:)

[Howlin]

Mine:

Baby blue; white top; gee, I miss that car!