![]() ![]() However, both can be used by astronomers to measure the distance to an astronomical object.Įstablishing the distance of a celestial body is an enormous challenge for astronomers it can be difficult to distinguish between objects that are dim and relatively close to the Earth and those which are bright and distant. These two celestial phenomena are both crucial tools used by astronomers to determine astronomical distance, and have been used to refine our measurement of Hubble’s constant, the expansion rate of the UniverseĮach of the images in this special collection features a spiral galaxy that hosts both Cepheid variables and a special class of supernovae, two remarkable stellar phenomena that on the face of it do not have much in common: Cepheid variables are pulsating stars that regularly brighten and dim and type Ia supernovae are the catastrophic explosions that mark the death throes of a hot, dense white dwarf star. Webb will work together with Hubble, Chandra, and other observatories to uncover more about the history and future of this famous supernova.Spanning from 2003 to 2021, this collection of images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope features galaxies that are all hosts to both Cepheid variables and supernovae. Its NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) can provide astronomers with fresh, detailed infrared data as time passes, helping us learn more about the newly spotted crescent shapes. Like Spitzer, Webb will keep studying the supernova over time. The James Webb Space Telescope’s ongoing investigationĭespite many years of studies since the first discovery of the supernova, there are several mysteries unsolved, especially regarding the neutron star that was expected to form after the explosion. However, it couldn’t match Webb’s ability to observe the supernova with precision and detail. ![]() Before Webb, the retired Spitzer telescope, which observed this supernova in infrared over its entire existence, provided valuable data on how its emissions changed over time. The high resolution of these images is also noteworthy. Their brightness could indicate limb brightening, which occurs when expanding materials are viewed differently, making it seem like there’s more material in these two crescents than there is. These crescents are considered part of the outer layers of gas expelled during the supernova explosion. ![]() While NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes have previously observed these formations to varying extents, Webb’s extraordinary sensitivity and detailed imagery have unveiled a new aspect of this supernova’s aftermath-small crescent-like structures. These are the locations of supernova shocks hitting more exterior material. Now, spots beyond the ring are surrounded by faint emissions. These hot spots appear as the supernova’s shock wave hits the ring. The equatorial ring, made up of material expelled tens of thousands of years before the supernova explosion, holds bright hot spots. The dust is incredibly thick, blocking even the near-infrared light detected by Webb, which creates the dark “hole” within the keyhole shape.Ī bright, equatorial ring surrounds the inner keyhole, creating a band around the waist that links two faint arms resembling an hourglass in the outer rings. The centre is concentrated with clumpy gas and dust from the supernova explosion. The image reveals a central formation resembling a keyhole. ![]() New observations by the JWST NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) offer valuable insights into how supernova evolves to create its remnants. The Supernova has been closely observed for almost 40 years, using various wavelengths from gamma rays to radio waves, ever since its discovery in February 1987. Image: | iStock James Webb’s Space Telescope (JWST) is now studying one of the most renowned supernovae, SN 1987A (Supernova 1987A), located 168,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud ![]()
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