Keplers supernova remnant, SN 1604. Multiwavelength X-ray, infrared, and optical compilation image of Keplers supernova remnant, SN 1604. X-ray, Optical & Infrared Composite of Keplers Supernova Remnant On October 9, 1604, sky watchers -- including astronomer Johannes Kepler, spotted a new star in the western sky, rivaling the brilliance of nearby planets. Keplers supernova was the last exploding supernova seen in our Milky Way galaxy. Observers used only their eyes to study it, because the telescope had not yet been invented. Now, astronomers have utilized NASAs three Great Observatories to analyze the supernova remnant in infrared, optical and X-ray light. [1] Color Code (Energy): Blue: X-ray (4-6 keV), en:Chandra X-ray Observatory, The higher-energy X-rays come primarily from the regions directly behind the shock front. Green: X-ray (0.3-1.4 keV), en:Chandra X-ray Observatory; Lower-energy X-rays mark the location of the hot remains of the exploded star. Yellow: Optical, en:Hubble Space Telescope; The optical image reveals 10,000 degrees Celsius gas where the supernova shock wave is slamming into the densest regions of surrounding gas. Red: Infrared, en:Spitzer space telescope; The infrared image highlights microscopic dust particles swept up and heated by the supernova shock wave. Keplers supernovaPublic Domain NASA/ESA/JHU/R.Sankrit & W.Blair - nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_219.html Larger version uploaded from chandra.harvard.edu/photo/printgallery/2004/ a NASA-sponsored site.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:33:34 +0000
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