A star explodes and turns inside out

Astronomy Magazine ^ | 3/4/2012 | Chandra X-ray Center

[U-238]

A new X-ray study of the remains of an exploded star indicates that the supernova that disrupted the massive star may have turned it inside out in the process. Using long observations of Cassiopeia A (Cas A), a team of scientists has mapped the distribution elements in the supernova remnant in unprecedented detail. This information shows where the different layers of the pre-supernova star are located 300 years after the explosion, and provides insight into the nature of the supernova.

The artist’s illustration shows a simplified picture of the inner layers of the star that formed Cas A just before it exploded, with the predominant concentrations of different elements represented by different colors: iron in the core (blue), overlaid by sulfur and silicon (green), then magnesium, neon, and oxygen (red). The image from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory on the right uses the same color scheme to show the distribution of iron, sulfur, and magnesium in the supernova remnant. The data show that the distributions of sulfur and silicon are similar, as are the distributions of magnesium and neon. Oxygen, which according to theoretical models is the most abundant element in the remnant, is difficult to detect because the X-ray emission characteristic of oxygen ions is strongly absorbed by gas along the line of sight to Cas A, and because almost all the oxygen ions have had all their electrons stripped away.

A comparison of the illustration and the Chandra element map shows clearly that most of the iron, which according to theoretical models of the pre-supernova was originally on the inside of the star, is now located near the outer edge of the remnant. Surprisingly, there is no evidence from X-ray (Chandra) or infrared (Spitzer Space Telescope) observations for iron near the center of the remnant, where it was formed.

[U-238]

A new study suggests the massive star that became the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant may have turned inside out as it exploded. Comparing a "before" artist's illustration with an "after" image from Chandra shows key elements are in different areas following the explosion. These results are based on a million seconds of Chandra observing time

[U-238]

ping

[unkus]

Awesome.

Thanks for all the great posts, U-238.

[U-238]

You are very welcome

:)

[unkus]

You have mail.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Space pollen?

My eyes have been itching for weeks.

Can you see a face in the right image. Two eyes (blue area), a red, wide nose, and a large grouper type mouth below it?

There is life in space. Great discovery. Thanks.

Walter Sullivan: We Are Not Alone!

PS: This has the color combination of a Khrasnyarsky print from his Musicians series. Beautiful.

[decal]

“A star explodes and turns inside out”

The universe’s largest popcorn kernel.

I admit to clicking on this thread presuming it was about Alec Baldwin...but this is EVEN BETTER.

[allmost]

Civ probably knows. You do well.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks U-238.

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[BenLurkin]

"A star explodes and turns inside out"

[SunkenCiv]

:’D