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Astronomers have uncovered new details about the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant using advanced imaging from the James Webb Space Telescope. This ancient star’s explosion, which occurred centuries ago, now reveals intricate structures in the interstellar medium — the cold, dusty clouds of gas and dust that lie between stars. These findings challenge previous assumptions about how these regions evolve into active sites for new star formation.
The James Webb Space Telescope, with its massive 6.5-meter mirror, has provided sharp images that show coiled knots and bundles of filaments in two small clouds near the remnant. This level of detail, never seen before, helps scientists better understand the processes at play, such as how magnetic fields influence gas dynamics.
By combining visual data from the Near Infrared Camera with spectra from Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument, researchers have mapped out the 3D structure of these clouds, likened to crumpled ribbons or tightly packed sheets. Even at a distance of about 230 light-years, the structures are as small as a few light-days across. This precision allows astronomers to pinpoint the duration of the supernova’s ultraviolet pulse with greater accuracy.
These discoveries not only shed light on the past but also open new avenues for studying star formation processes far into the future. The findings highlight how even old astronomical phenomena can reveal new insights, emphasizing the importance of continued exploration in our galaxy and beyond.
Source: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/supernova-echoes-probe-clouds-in-the-milky-way