Shape Symmetry Reveals Type of Supernova Explosions

When a massive star reaches the end of its burning cycle, it becomes unable to sustain nuclear fusion all on its own, and also exhausts all of its hydrogen fuel. When this happens, the object sheds the outer layers of its atmosphere, all the way to the core, in a violent explosion called a su... [ read more >> ]

A new study of images from Chandra shows that the symmetry of the supernova remnants, or lack thereof, reveals how the original star exploded

Image comment: A new study of images from Chandra shows that the symmetry of the supernova remnants, or lack thereof, reveals how the original star exploded
Image credits: NASA / CXC / UCSC / L. Lopez et al

A new study of images from Chandra shows that the symmetry of the supernova remnants, or lack thereof, reveals how the original star exploded