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X-ray, Infrared, Optical, & Ultraviolet 4-Panel ImageCredit: Vela Pulsar: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt, K. Arcand; Tycho's Supernova Remnant: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: DSS; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk; Helix Nebula: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; UV: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC; Optical: NASA/ STScI/M. Meixner, ESA/NRAO/T.A. Rector; Infrared:NASA/JPL-Caltech/K. Su; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk and K. Arcand; Cat's Eye Nebula: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Major, L. Frattare, K. Arcand
These four images showcase the 2D captured views of the cosmic objects included in the new augmented reality 3D release. Presenting multiwavelength images of the Vela Pulsar, Tycho's Supernova Remnant, Helix Nebula, and Cat's Eye Nebula that include Chandra X-ray data as well as optical data in each, and for the Helix, additional infrared and ultraviolet data.
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X-ray & Optical Images of Vela PulsarCredit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt, K. Arcand
The Vela Pulsar is the aftermath of a star that collapsed whose explosion sent a remarkable storm of particles and energy into space. The Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes captured this storm, seen here as a 3D model. At the center of Vela is a pulsar, a rapidly spinning dense star that sends beams of light out into space like a cosmic lighthouse.
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X-ray & Optical Images of Tycho's Supernova RemnantCredit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: DSS; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk
Massive stars die in giant explosions called supernovas that can outshine an entire galaxy. After a supernova explosion, the remains of the star can become a spectacular and evolving cosmic monument to the now-deceased star. These remnants glow in X-ray light, which NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory can detect such as in this data of Tycho’s Supernova Remnant.
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X-ray, Infrared, Optical, & Ultraviolet Images of Helix NebulaCredit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; UV: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC; Optical: NASA/ STScI/M. Meixner, ESA/NRAO/T.A. Rector; Infrared:NASA/JPL-Caltech/K. Su; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk and K. Arcand
In about 5 billion years, our Sun will run out of fuel and expand, possibly engulfing Earth. These end stages of a star’s life can be utterly beautiful as is the case with this planetary nebula called the Helix Nebula. Astronomers study these objects by looking at all kinds of light, including X-rays that the Chandra X-ray Observatory sees.
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X-ray & Optical Images of Cat's Eye NebulaCredit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Major, L. Frattare, K. Arcand
Eventually, our Sun will run out of fuel and die (though not for another 5 billion years). As it does, it will become like the object seen here, the Cat’s Eye Nebula, which is a planetary nebula. A fast wind from the remaining stellar core rams into the ejected atmosphere and pushes it outward, creating wispy structures seen in X-rays by Chandra and optical light by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Return to: Travel Through Data From Space in New 3D Instagram Experiences (April 18, 2024)
Revised: April 18, 2024