Data from all four observatories were stitched together for this study

Mar 17, 2014 12:45 GMT  ·  By

Using images collected in different wavelengths by four different telescopes, a team of astronomers was recently able to create one of the most detailed representations in existence of the oldest known supernova remnant. The object, called RCW 86, was first observed by Chinese astronomers in 185 AD.

According to historical records, the ancient supernova remained visible as a “guest star” in the night sky for around eight months before its brightness finally subdued. Currently, the remnant resembles a very large cavity, which astronomers say once resided around a white dwarf star. If that is true, then this structure may hold the key to learning more about Type Ia supernovae.

The green and blue colors in this image denote light captured at X-ray wavelengths by the European Space Agency's (ESA) XMM-Newton Observatory and the NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory, respectively. These colors are emitted by gas that has been super-heated by the passing of a massive shock wave released by the supernova.

Yellow and red colors represent infrared light captured by the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope and the NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). These photons are being released by dust heated to several hundred Kelvin, which is significantly higher than the extremely low temperatures that usually permeate interstellar space.