2024-04-30 04:48:37
The universe is always in motion, and astronomical objects should not be imagined as frozen in static images from space. Although colorful photographs of nebulae and galaxies may seem so to us, they are actually only momentary moments in the life of these objects.
The Space portal reports this.
Due to the vast distances, it is difficult for us to see their changes. But now, astronomers have presented a unique animation combining two known supernova remnants – the Crab Nebula and the Cassiopeia A nebula. This animation allows us to observe the evolution of these objects over the past 20 years.
The Chandra X-ray Space Telescope has been studying astronomical objects for almost 25 years. During this time, a wealth of data was accumulated, sufficient to create exciting animations demonstrating the movement of objects in deep space.
A new animation compiled from many images taken by this telescope allows us to see the movement of iconic supernova remnants such as the Crab Nebula and Cassiopeia A. The Crab Nebula, 6,500 light-years away, was the result of a supernova explosion that occurred long ago. for a long time. This event was first recorded by astronomers in 1054 AD.
Using images taken by the Chandra Telescope over the past 22 years, astronomers have pictured the motion of rings of shock waves emanating from a super-dense, rapidly spinning neutron star at the nebula’s center. These shock waves create ripples in the environment, which can be observed thanks to the unique capabilities of the Chandra telescope.
The Cassiopeia A nebula is located at a distance of 11 thousand light years from us. The supernova explosion that gave birth to this object was recorded by astronomers 340 years ago. Using animation, you can see how the outer region of the nebula expands, and the initial shock wave created by the supernova explosion passes through it.
These dynamic changes in the Cassiopeia A nebula reflect its evolution over time and provide a better understanding of the processes occurring in deep space.
In this case, astronomers used 19 years of Chandra observations to demonstrate multiple shock waves traveling in opposite directions through the supernova remnant. This year, astronomers intend to take new images of the Crab Nebula using the X-ray observatory, but the future of the Chandra telescope is clouded by financial difficulties.
Earlier, Cursor wrote that scientists, using data collected by the Hubble telescope, presented a three-dimensional visualization of the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372), a colossal space object located 7,500 light years from our planet.
2024-04-30 04:48:37