The Green Monster would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for these two meddling space telescopes 🔎⁣ ⁣

 The Green Monster would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for these two meddling space telescopes :

⁣In April 2023, @NASAWebb infrared data detected an unusual structure. It was dubbed the “Green Monster” because of its resemblance to the wall in the left field of Fenway Park. However, by combining the Webb data with X-rays from @NASAChandraXray, researchers think they have hunted down the source of the Green Monster.⁣

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When a massive star exploded to create Cassiopeia A (aka Cas A) about 340 years ago, from Earth’s perspective, it created a ball of matter and light that expanded outward. The debris from the star is seen by Chandra because it is heated to tens of millions of degrees by shock waves, akin to sonic booms from a supersonic plane. Webb can see some material that has not been affected by shock waves, what can be called “pristine” debris. Much of this lies behind the Green Monster. The combination of Webb and Chandra data therefore gives a better idea of the total debris from the exploded star.⁣

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Image description: This image of Cassiopeia A resembles a disk of electric light with red clouds, glowing white streaks, red and orange flames, and an area near the center of the remnant resembling a somewhat circular region of green lightning. X-rays from Chandra are blue and reveal hot gas, mostly from supernova debris from the destroyed star, and include elements like silicon and iron. X-rays are also present as thin arcs in the outer regions of the remnant.⁣

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Infrared data from Webb is red, green, and blue. Webb highlights infrared emission from dust that is warmed up because it is embedded in the hot gas seen by Chandra, and from much cooler supernova debris. Hubble data shows a multitude of stars that permeate the field of view.⁣

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Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; IR: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/Milisavljevic et al., NASA/JPL/CalTech; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt and K. Arcand⁣

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#NASA #Space #NASAChandra #NASAWebb #JWST #SpaceTelescope #Telescope #Stars #Supernova #AAS243

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10 January 2024