Anne’s Image of the Day: Supernova Remnant G306.3-0.9
read more at Anne’s Astronomy News http://annesastronomynews.com/
July 20, 2013
G306.3-0.9, a supernova remnant in Centaurus
Image Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Michigan/M. Reynolds et al; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech; Radio: CSIRO/ATNF/ATCA
G306.3-0.9 (named after the coordinates of its sky position) is a faint supernova remnant of about 25 light-years across, located some 26,000 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaurus. The explosion’s shock wave is racing through space at about 2.4 million kilometers (1.5 million miles) per hour.
A supernova occurs when a star explodes in the final phase of its life. The explosion throws a large cloud of dust and hot gas into space surrounding the star. When this slams into the existing interstellar medium, it heats up so much it glows in X-rays. The exploding star can become billions of times as bright as the Sun before gradually fading from view. At its maximum brightness, the exploded star may outshine an entire galaxy.
Astronomers estimate that a supernova explosion occurs once or twice a century in the Milky Way. The expanding blast wave and hot stellar debris slowly dissipate over hundreds of thousands of years, eventually mixing with and becoming indistinguishable from interstellar gas.
G306.3-0.9 was discovered on Feb. 22, 2011, while Swift’s X-ray Telescope was performing an extensive X-ray survey of our galaxy’s central regions as part of the Swift Galactic Plane Survey, a project to image a two-degree-wide strip along the Milky Way’s central plane at X-ray and ultraviolet energies at the same time.
The remnant is likely less than 2,500 years old, what makes it one of the 20 youngest supernova remnants identified in our Galaxy (of the more than 300 cataloged supernova remnants in the Milky Way). But, there isn’t enough information yet to determine what type of supernova G306.3-0.9 was and therefore what type of star exploded.
However, further investigations of the supernova remnant by Chandra have revealed the presence of iron, neon, silicon and sulfur at temperatures of about 30 million degrees Celsius (50 million F). This is a reminder, not only of the energies involved, but of the role supernovae play in seeding the galaxy with heavy elements produced in the hearts of massive stars.
Young supernova remnants give astronomers the best opportunity for understanding the nature of the original star and the details of its demise.
This composite image combines X-rays from Chandra X-ray Observatory (blue), infrared data from Spitzer Space Telescope (red and cyan), and radio data from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (purple).
n/a
Source: http://annesastronomynews.com/annes-image-of-the-day-supernova-remnant-g306-3-0-9/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
