Posted on 10/21/2022 11:07:14 AM PDT by Red Badger
When a massive star collapsed in the Cassiopeia constellation, it generated a supernova explosion with some of the fastest shockwaves in the Milky Way. These speedy shock waves are one of the reasons the Cassiopeia A (Cas A) supernova remnant was chosen to be our Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer’s (IXPE) first observed object.
This composite image, made of data from IXPE, the Chandra Observatory, and the Hubble Telescope, shows Cas A. IXPE’s investigation of Cas A from Jan. 11 to Jan. 29, 2022, added crucial information about the behavior of exploded stars’ magnetic fields: scientists found that the magnetic fields in X-rays tend to be aligned in radial, not perpendicular, directions. Polarization data also suggest that these X-rays come from turbulent regions with many different magnetic field directions.
Image Credits: X-ray: Chandra: NASA/CXC/SAO, IXPE: NASA/MSFC/J. Vink et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI
Last Updated: Oct 21, 2022 Editor: Monika Luabeya Tags: Image of the Day, IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer), Supernova
Ping!......................
I think part of that could have hit my roof, but maybe that was just hurricane Ian that did that.
Better check for pods..................
I don’t think I see anything like pods. But suddenly there is a strange creature that tore a hole in my shirt. From the inside.
‘ magnetic fields in X-rays tend to be aligned in radial, not perpendicular, directions. ’
Magnetic fields orienting like spokes of a wheal rather than ripples on a pond. Completely different set of implications. Very cool!
Thanks for the post
Chandra has better resolution of the X-rays but this new telescope can see the polarization of that high energy light. If you ever see a rainbow check it out with polarized sunglasses. It will almost disappear before your eyes if you turn the sunglasses to the right position. That is because the light from a rainbow is almost 100% polarized.
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