Astronomers have captured stunning new images of the aftermath of a supernova explosion using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The blast, which occurred 350 years ago, is known as Cassiopeia A and provides a rare glimpse into the violent life cycle of stars. By studying this nearby and relatively young object, scientists can see what happened at the moment of its explosion.
The force of gravity was too strong for the star to overcome once it ran out of fuel, causing it to implode and creating either a neutron star or a black hole. The rest of the star exploded into space. Researchers have been studying Cassiopeia A for decades but JWST’s advanced technology has allowed them to get a closer look than ever before.
According to Dartmouth College astronomer Robert A. Fesen, the images are “really amazing”. Fesen led the team that first studied Cassiopeia A with the Hubble Space Telescope and notes that JWST’s infrared capabilities have greatly enhanced their understanding of the object. The telescope’s larger mirror and higher resolution also provide clearer images than ever before.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/jwst-photos-reveal-bizarre-physics-of-supernova-explosions