Chandra X-ray & DSS Optical Images of Tycho's Supernova Remnant
This image of the Tycho supernova remnant from Chandra reveals an intriguing pattern of bright clumps and fainter holes giving clues about its origin. To emphasize these features, two narrow ranges of X-ray energies were selected to isolate material (silicon, colored red) moving away from Earth, and moving towards us (also silicon, colored blue). The other colors in the image (yellow, green, blue-green, orange and purple) show a broad range of different energies and elements, and a mixture of directions of motion. Chandra's X-ray data are shown alongside an optical image of the stars in the same field of view from the Digitized Sky Survey.
Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/RIKEN & GSFC/T. Sato et al; Optical: DSS

Stereolithography (STL) Files for 3D Printing Tycho's Supernova Remnant
A team of astronomers, led by Gilles Ferrand of RIKEN in Saitama, Japan, has constructed three-dimensional computer models of a Type Ia supernova remnant as it changes with time. Their work shows that initial asymmetries in the supernova explosion are required for the model of the supernova remnant, at an age of 500 years, to closely resemble the Chandra image of Tycho. This conclusion is similar to that made by Toshiki Sato and his team. These 3D printable files were created by the Chandra team from Ferrand, et al's model.

The stellar ejecta are green (inside material), while the interstellar medium (ISM) swept-up by the blast wave is white/clear (or purple in the single image).

This model consists of two similar halves, with two parts to each half (the ejecta, and the outer shockwave). If a 2-color printer is available, the two parts can be combined like so: 3MF file 1, 3MF file 2 OR WRL file 1, WRL file 2, WRL file 3. (Note: In our printing tests, these models did not need any support structures as the angle is gradual enough to build up onto itself.)
Credit: RIKEN/G. Ferrand, et al & NASA/CXC/SAO/A. Jubett, N. Wolk & K. Arcand