SN 1006: Supernova Remnant in X Rays
Explanation:
This huge puff ball was once a star.
One thousand years ago, in the
year 1006, a
new star was recorded
in the sky that today we know was really an existing star exploding.
The resulting expanding gas from the
supernova
is still visible with telescopes today, continues to expand, and now spans over 70
light years.
SN 1006 glows in every type of light.
The
above image of SN 1006 was captured by the orbiting
Chandra Observatory
in
X-ray light.
Even today, not everything about the
SN 1006
is understood, for example why
particle shocks
that produce the bright blue filaments are only visible at some locations.
SN 1006 is thought to have once been a
white dwarf that exploded when gas being dumped onto it by its
binary star companion caused it to go over the
Chandrasekhar limit.
Foreground stars are visible that have nothing to do with the supernova.
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.
