Chandra: A Supernova’s Shockwaves

September 29, 2022 / Astrophysics, Science Projects

A 2007 composite image titled “A Supernova’s Shockwaves”, from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory, was featured on 7/19/22 as NASA’s “Image of the Day”. Supernovas are the explosive deaths of the universe's most massive stars. In death, these objects blast powerful waves into the cosmos, destroying much of the dust surrounding them.This image shows the remnant of such an explosion, known as N132D, and the environment it is expanding into. For more information visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/a-supernovas-shockwaves. 

This composite image from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and Spitzer Space Telescope shows the supernova remnant known as N132D. Supernovas are the explosive deaths of the Universe's most massive stars. Once these stars run out of fuel, they collapse and blast waves of energy into space around them. In this image, three of Spitzer's infrared bands are shown in red, green, and blue, while Chandra's X-rays are seen in purple. The pinkish color reveals a clash between the explosion's high-energy shockwaves and surrounding dust grains.
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