Galactic Supernova Remnant IC 443
Explanation:
About 8000 years ago, a star in
our Galaxy exploded.
Ancient humans might have noticed the
supernova as a temporary star, but
modern humans can see the expanding shell of gas even today.
Pictured above, part of the shell of
IC 443 is seen to be composed of
complex filaments,
some of which are impacting an existing
molecular cloud.
Here emission from
shock-excited
molecular
hydrogen is allowing astronomers to study how fast moving
supernova gas affects star formation in the cloud.
Additionally, astronomers theorize that the
impact accelerates some particles to velocities near the speed of light.
Supernova remnant
IC 443 is also known to shine brightly also in
infrared and
X-ray light.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
