Infrared Universe: Kepler's Supernova Remnant
Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory each highlight distinct features of the supernova remnant, a fast-moving shell of iron-rich material from the exploded star, surrounded by an expanding shock wave that is sweeping up interstellar gas and dust. The combined image unveils a bubble-shaped shroud of gas and dust that is 14 light-years wide and is expanding at 4 million miles per hour (2,000 kilometers per second).
Low X-ray: The Chandra X-ray data shows cooler X-ray gas (lower-energy X-rays) [colored green] residing in a thick interior shell and marks the location of heated material expelled from the exploded star.
Credit: NASA, ESA, R. Sankrit and W. Blair (Johns Hopkins University).
High X-ray: The Chandra X-ray data show regions of very hot gas (higher-energy X-rays) [colored blue] located primarily in the regions directly behind the shock front.
Credit: NASA, ESA, R. Sankrit and W. Blair (Johns Hopkins University).
Optical: Images from the Hubble telescope [colored yellow] reveal where the supernova shock wave is slamming into the densest regions of surrounding gas.
Credit: NASA, ESA, R. Sankrit and W. Blair (Johns Hopkins University)
Infrared: The Spitzer telescope data shows microscopic dust particles [colored red] that have been heated by the supernova shock wave. The dust re-radiates the shock wave's energy as infrared light.
Credit: NASA, ESA, R. Sankrit and W. Blair (Johns Hopkins University).
Credit: NASA, ESA, Greg Bacon (STScI).
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