Astronomers have created a three-dimensional reconstruction of a supernova from 400 thousand observation points

The Crab Nebula, formally known as Messier 1 (M-1), was created by the explosion of supernova SN 1054

in 1054 AD. It became the first astronomical object identified with a historical supernova explosion, recorded by Chinese and Arab astronomers in 1054. Located about 6,500 light-years from Earth, the nebula has a diameter of 11 light-years and is expanding at a speed of about 1,500 kilometers per second.

At the center of the nebula is the pulsar CrabPulsar "(neutron star), 28-30 km in diameter, which emits pulses of radiation from gamma rays to radio waves. In the X-ray and gamma range of radiation above 30 keV, this pulsar is the strongest permanent source of such radiation in our galaxy.

Scientists from Laval University have created a new 3D reconstruction of the nebula. Now astronomers will be able to "move" around and inside the Crab Nebula and study its filaments one by one.

The team used a powerful spectrometerSITELLE images at the Canada-Hawaii-France Telescope (CFHT) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, to compare the three-dimensional shape of M-1 with two other supernova remnants. 

3D reconstruction of the Crab Nebulaconsists of 406,472 individual points, in the spectra of which the emission of the nebula was detected. The glowing blue sphere in the center is artificial and simulates a continuum. The Milky Way background mimics the perspective seen as you move around the nebula.

The new reconstruction was made possible bypioneering technology used by SITELLE, which incorporates the Michelson interferometer design, allowing scientists to obtain more than 300,000 high-resolution spectra for each individual point in the nebula.

Read more

Traces of rocket fuel were found on Saturn's moon Rhea. Where does it come from?

The largest iceberg in the world collapsed, fragments rushed north. Is it dangerous?

Abortion and science: what will happen to the children who will give birth

Messier catalog - list of 110 astronomicalobjects compiled by the French astronomer Charles Messier and first published in 1774. Messier was a comet hunter and set out to compile a catalog of stationary nebulae and star clusters that could be confused with comets.