A Story Of Analyzing Light: Supernova E0102
Investigating the elements ejected by a supernova.
Light is packed with information! By using specialized instruments on telescopes, researchers can stretch light into a rainbow (known as a spectrum) to analyze its properties and learn about objects in the universe. When materials interact with or emit their own light, properties of that material are stamped on the light. This “stamp” is like a fingerprint for each element and molecule. By examining the intensity of light, or lack thereof, in each color, scientist can work backward to infer the properties of the material that left their stamp on the spectrum. The longer an object is observed, the more scientists can learn about the object. These data reveal important details about the makeup of atmospheres on exoplanets, the compositions of stars and nebulas, the motion of galaxies, and more.
Supernova E0102 is relatively young. Its light reached Earth a few thousand years ago, which on astronomical timescales is very recent. This object provides researchers the opportunity to study the material the exploded star sent out before it has interacted very much with the surrounding gas and dust. Analysis of Supernova E0102’s spectra gives astronomers new information about which elements are present, and which materials are moving away from or toward Earth. By studying the supernova remnant’s spectra over time, researchers are able to definitively determine which elements are present after a single star exploded, learn more about the supernova explosion itself, and collect clues about exactly what type of star exploded. The colors shown above in the charts and the images align: The lowest-energy X-rays are colored red, the intermediate range of X-rays is green, and the highest-energy X-rays detected are blue.
Quick Facts: Supernova E0102
Also known as:
SN E0102-72.3 and SN010102-72
Distance from Earth:
190,000 light-years away in the Small Magellanic Cloud
Size:
43 light-years across
Type of object:
Supernova remnant
Location in the sky:
Tucana Constellation
Did you know:
The Chandra X-ray Observatory uses E0102 to calibrate the telescope and has taken a picture of the object every year since 1999.
Credits: Supernova E0102
X-ray light images from the Chandra X-ray Observatory: NASA, CXC, MIT, D. Dewey et al. & NASA, CXC, SAO, J. DePasquale
X-ray spectra from the Chandra X-ray Observatory: NASA, CXC, SAO & R. Das
Subject-matter expertise provided by Dr. Neslihan Alan
Produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute’s Office of Public Outreach