Explanation:
SNR 0104 is a supernova remnant with an unusual shape.
Found 190,000 light-years away in our neighboring galaxy
the Small Magellanic Cloud,
SNR 0104 is suspected of being the expanding debris cloud from a
Type 1a
supernova - the catastrophic thermonuclear explosion of
a white dwarf star.
For example, like Type 1a supernova remnants within
our galaxy, investigations show that it contains
large amounts of iron.
But unlike other Type 1a remnants, including the well-studied
Tycho,
Kepler, and
SN 1006, SNR 0104 is
definitely not spherical.
In fact, the remnant's shape suggests this supernova explosion
was very asymmetric and produced strong jets.
This intriguing
composite image combines
Chandra Observatory
x-ray data of the remnant, shown in purple hues, with
Spitzer Space Telescope infrared
data covering the wider region, mapped to red and green colors.
It indicates that the supernova explosion
took place in the complicated and dense environment of a
star-forming region.
So, an alternative explanation is that the expanding debris cloud
is sweeping up clumpy interstellar material, accounting
for the odd shape.
The broad, multiwavelength
view spans about 1,800 light-years at the
estimated distance of SNR 0104.
digg_url = 'http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090612.html'; digg_skin = 'compact';
