Mysterious features hide in near-infrared light
Cassiopeia A supernova remnant reveals unexpected details in new image from the James Webb Space Telescope
The Cassiopeia A (Cas A) supernova remnant has surprised astronomers with new and unexpected features revealed in the near-infrared light captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope
The new image, part of the 2023 Holidays at the White House, was debuted by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and showcases the “Magic, Wonder, and Joy” of the holiday season, according to NASA. This stunning new image provides a high-resolution view of the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant, displaying intricate details of the expanding shell of material slamming into the gas shed by the star before it exploded.
While Cas A is a well-studied supernova remnant, the James Webb Space Telescope’s near-infrared view has revealed new and unexpected features within the inner shell of the remnant. Many of these features are invisible in the new NIRCam image, prompting astronomers to investigate further.
‘Like Shards of Glass’
The new image of Cas A displays clumps of bright orange and pink, making up the inner shell of the supernova remnant. These colors hint at different activity occurring within the object. According to astronomers, the high-resolution view has revealed how the dying star shattered when it exploded, leaving behind filaments akin to tiny shards of glass. This transformational insight is providing researchers with a new understanding of the star’s explosive demise.
Hidden Green Monster
When comparing the new near-infrared view of Cas A with the mid-infrared view, astronomers have noticed curiously absent colors in the image. The colors observed in the mid-infrared are missing in the near-infrared view, but researchers believe this provides insight into previously hidden features of the supernova remnant.
One striking revelation in the image is the absence of the loop of green light, known as the Green Monster, which was visible in the mid-infrared but is not seen in the near-infrared view. However, the circular holes visible in the new image could provide insight into this mysterious feature.
Baby Cas A
One particularly fascinating feature in the new image is what researchers are calling Baby Cas A, located at the bottom right corner of the NIRCam’s field of view. This feature is a light echo, where light from the star’s explosion has reached and is warming distant dust, which glows as it cools down.
Additional smaller light echoes are scattered throughout the new portrait from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Visit NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute for more information, including full-resolution images and video tours of Cassiopeia A.