A composite X-ray image of supernova remnant RCW 86, created from data by the XMM-Newton and Chandra telescopes. The image shows the expanding shell of material in blue, green, and red hues representing different X-ray energies. This remnant is believed to be the debris from a supernova observed by Chinese astronomers in 185 AD, making it potentially the earliest recorded supernova. The image showcases the vast scale and beauty of cosmic events, located approximately 8,200 light-years away in our Milky Way galaxy.

Astronomy Picture from 28/09/2006

RCW 86: Historical Supernova Remnant

Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap060928.html


#SupernovaRemnant #RCW86 #AncientAstronomy #ChineseAstronomy #XMMNewton #ChandraXray #SpaceExploration #MilkyWay #Supernova #Astrophysics #Astronomy

A stunning deep-space image of RCW 86, the remnant of a Type Ia supernova first observed by Chinese astronomers in 185 AD. This nebula, larger than the full moon in the sky, shows intricate filaments of gas ionized by the expanding shockwave of the ancient stellar explosion. Located 8,000 light-years away, its red and blue hues showcase the remnants of a thermonuclear detonation on a white dwarf star.

Astronomy Picture from 28/05/2022

RCW 86: Historical Supernova Remnant

Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap220528.html


#RCW86 #SupernovaRemnant #TypeIaSupernova #AncientSupernova #ChineseAstronomy #Space #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Nebula #DeepSpace #MilkyWay #Stargazing #Cosmology