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X-ray, Radio & Infrared Images of W49B
This highly distorted supernova remnant may contain the most recent black hole formed in the Milky Way galaxy. These images show X-rays from Chandra, radio data from the Very Large Array, and infrared data from the Palomar Observatory. Most supernova explosions that destroy massive stars are generally symmetrical. In the W49B's supernova, however, it appears that the material near its poles was ejected at much higher speeds than that at its equator. There is also evidence that the explosion that produced W49B left behind a black hole and not a neutron star like most other supernovas.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/MIT/L.Lopez et al.; Infrared: Palomar; Radio: NSF/NRAO/VLA)
This highly distorted supernova remnant may contain the most recent black hole formed in the Milky Way galaxy. These images show X-rays from Chandra, radio data from the Very Large Array, and infrared data from the Palomar Observatory. Most supernova explosions that destroy massive stars are generally symmetrical. In the W49B's supernova, however, it appears that the material near its poles was ejected at much higher speeds than that at its equator. There is also evidence that the explosion that produced W49B left behind a black hole and not a neutron star like most other supernovas.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/MIT/L.Lopez et al.; Infrared: Palomar; Radio: NSF/NRAO/VLA)
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X-ray Iron & Silicon Images of W49B
By tracing the distribution and amounts of different elements in the stellar debris field, researchers were able to compare the Chandra data to theoretical models of how a star explodes. For example, they found iron in only half of the remnant while other elements such as sulfur and silicon were spread throughout. This matches predictions for an asymmetric explosion. Also, W49B is much more barrel-shaped than most other remnants in X-rays and several other wavelengths, pointing to an unusual demise for this star.
(Credit: NASA/CXC/MIT/L.Lopez et al.;)
By tracing the distribution and amounts of different elements in the stellar debris field, researchers were able to compare the Chandra data to theoretical models of how a star explodes. For example, they found iron in only half of the remnant while other elements such as sulfur and silicon were spread throughout. This matches predictions for an asymmetric explosion. Also, W49B is much more barrel-shaped than most other remnants in X-rays and several other wavelengths, pointing to an unusual demise for this star.
(Credit: NASA/CXC/MIT/L.Lopez et al.;)
Return to W49B (February 13, 2013)
Revised: November 30, 2022