Pan of Cassiopeia A

11 months ago
12

Cassiopeia A (Cas A) stands as the remnants of a supernova, positioned approximately 11,000 light-years away in the Cassiopeia constellation. Encompassing a span of about 10 light-years, this novel image employs data captured by Webb's Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) to present Cas A in a fresh perspective.

On the outer confines of the remnant, notably at its upper and left regions, there exist veils of material exhibiting hues of orange and red, a result of emission from warm dust. These delineate the points where material ejected from the exploded star collides with the surrounding circumstellar medium.

Within this outer shell, one finds intricate filaments colored in bright pink, adorned with clusters and knots. This intricate pattern represents material originating from the star itself, likely illuminated by the amalgamation of heavy elements and dust emission. Fainter wisps of stellar material can also be discerned in the proximity of the cavity's interior.

A loop, depicted in green, stretches across the right side of the central cavity. The unexpected shape and complexity of this loop pose a challenge for scientists seeking to comprehend its nature.

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