1. 3-D Fly-Through of Cassiopeia A
QuicktimeMPEG
This visualization shows a fly-through of Cas A based on the 3-D representation constructed from Chandra and Spitzer data. It begins with an artists rendition of the neutron star previously detected by Chandra. Next, new features unseen in traditional 2-D data sets are visible, including details of how the parent star exploded. The green region is mostly iron observed in X-rays; the yellow region is mostly argon and silicon seen in X-rays, optical and infared; the red region is cooler debris seen in the infared and the blue region is the outer blast wave, most prominent in X-rays.
[Runtime: 0:53]
(Visualization: NASA/CXC/D.Berry; Model: NASA/CXC/MIT/T.Delaney et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG
This visualization shows a fly-through of Cas A based on the 3-D representation constructed from Chandra and Spitzer data. It begins with an artists rendition of the neutron star previously detected by Chandra. Next, new features unseen in traditional 2-D data sets are visible, including details of how the parent star exploded. The green region is mostly iron observed in X-rays; the yellow region is mostly argon and silicon seen in X-rays, optical and infared; the red region is cooler debris seen in the infared and the blue region is the outer blast wave, most prominent in X-rays.
[Runtime: 0:53]
(Visualization: NASA/CXC/D.Berry; Model: NASA/CXC/MIT/T.Delaney et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: Cassiopeia A
2. 3-D Representation of Cassiopeia A
QuicktimeMPEG This result shows Cassiopeia A (Cas A) coming alive through the third dimension of space. Utilizing a technique borrowed from medical imaging, astronomers now have a way to travel through the heart of Cas A using data from NASA's Chandra and Spitzer telescopes. The different colors shown here correspond to different elements in the debris from the supernova explosion. This ground-breaking visualization of Cas A was made possible through a collaboration with the Astronomical Medicine project based at Harvard.
[Runtime: 0:36]
(NASA/CXC/MIT/T.Delaney et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG This result shows Cassiopeia A (Cas A) coming alive through the third dimension of space. Utilizing a technique borrowed from medical imaging, astronomers now have a way to travel through the heart of Cas A using data from NASA's Chandra and Spitzer telescopes. The different colors shown here correspond to different elements in the debris from the supernova explosion. This ground-breaking visualization of Cas A was made possible through a collaboration with the Astronomical Medicine project based at Harvard.
[Runtime: 0:36]
(NASA/CXC/MIT/T.Delaney et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: Cassiopeia A
3. 3-D Visualization of Cassiopeia A
QuicktimeMPEG A research team has released a unique look of the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A). By combining data from Chandra, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and ground- based optical observations, astronomers have been able to construct the first three-dimensional fly-through of a supernova remnant. This visualization (shown here as a still image) was made possible by importing the data into a medical imaging program that has been adapted for astronomical use. The green region shown in the image is mostly iron observed in X-rays; the yellow region is mostly argon and silicon seen in X-rays, optical and infared and the red region is cooler debris seen in the infared. The positions of these points in three-dimensional space were found by using the Doppler effect and simple assumptions about the supernova explosion.
[Runtime: 0:07]
(NASA/CXC/MIT/T.Delaney et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG A research team has released a unique look of the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A). By combining data from Chandra, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and ground- based optical observations, astronomers have been able to construct the first three-dimensional fly-through of a supernova remnant. This visualization (shown here as a still image) was made possible by importing the data into a medical imaging program that has been adapted for astronomical use. The green region shown in the image is mostly iron observed in X-rays; the yellow region is mostly argon and silicon seen in X-rays, optical and infared and the red region is cooler debris seen in the infared. The positions of these points in three-dimensional space were found by using the Doppler effect and simple assumptions about the supernova explosion.
[Runtime: 0:07]
(NASA/CXC/MIT/T.Delaney et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: Cassiopeia A
4. Animation of a Supernova Explosion
QuicktimeMPEG
This artist's animation shows the basics of a supernova explosion like the one that created Cas A. When a massive star runs out of fuel, it collapses onto itself and its remains are then expelled into the surrounding space. This expanding debris field is very hot and thus glows brightly in X-rays, which are detected by telescopes like Chandra. At the end of the animation, the view dissolves into an image of Cas A created from Chandra data.
[Runtime: 00:26]
(NASA/CXC/A.Hobart)
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG
This artist's animation shows the basics of a supernova explosion like the one that created Cas A. When a massive star runs out of fuel, it collapses onto itself and its remains are then expelled into the surrounding space. This expanding debris field is very hot and thus glows brightly in X-rays, which are detected by telescopes like Chandra. At the end of the animation, the view dissolves into an image of Cas A created from Chandra data.
[Runtime: 00:26]
(NASA/CXC/A.Hobart)
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: Cassiopeia A
- Photo Album: Cassiopeia A
5. Brief Time-lapse Movie of Cassiopeia A
QuicktimeMPEG This brief movie of X-ray data from Chandra of Cas A was made by combining observations taken in January 2000, February 2002, February 2004, and December 2007. In these images, the lowest-energy X-rays Chandra detects are shown in red, intermediate energies in green, and the highest energies in blue. Scientists have used the movie to measure the expansion velocity of the leading edge of the explosion's outer blast wave (shown in blue). The researchers find that the velocity is 11 million miles per hour, which is significantly slower than expected for an explosion with the energy estimated to have been released in Cas A.
[Runtime: 00:20]
(NASA/CXC/SAO/D.Patnaude et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG This brief movie of X-ray data from Chandra of Cas A was made by combining observations taken in January 2000, February 2002, February 2004, and December 2007. In these images, the lowest-energy X-rays Chandra detects are shown in red, intermediate energies in green, and the highest energies in blue. Scientists have used the movie to measure the expansion velocity of the leading edge of the explosion's outer blast wave (shown in blue). The researchers find that the velocity is 11 million miles per hour, which is significantly slower than expected for an explosion with the energy estimated to have been released in Cas A.
[Runtime: 00:20]
(NASA/CXC/SAO/D.Patnaude et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: Cassiopeia A
6. Chandra X-ray Image and Animation of E0102-72.3
QuicktimeMPEG This motion graphic combines images of the supernova remnant E0102 with an animation of a three dimensional model for this object. It begins with the Chandra X-ray image of E0102, then dissolves to a so-called "velocity map" that shows material moving away from us (in red) and towards us (in blue). A cylinder-shaped model for E0102 is then shown, along with two smaller, faster moving regions. The model then dissolves back into the velocity map and the Chandra data.
[Runtime: 0:02]
(NASA/STScI/G.Bacon; X-ray: NASA/CXC/MIT/D.Dewey et al. & NASA/CXC/SAO/J.DePasquale)
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG This motion graphic combines images of the supernova remnant E0102 with an animation of a three dimensional model for this object. It begins with the Chandra X-ray image of E0102, then dissolves to a so-called "velocity map" that shows material moving away from us (in red) and towards us (in blue). A cylinder-shaped model for E0102 is then shown, along with two smaller, faster moving regions. The model then dissolves back into the velocity map and the Chandra data.
[Runtime: 0:02]
(NASA/STScI/G.Bacon; X-ray: NASA/CXC/MIT/D.Dewey et al. & NASA/CXC/SAO/J.DePasquale)
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: E0102-72.3
7. Movie of Chandra Images Evolving Over Time
QuicktimeMPEG
This movie has been created from a series of X-ray observations from Chandra of Cassiopeia A (Cas A) over eight years. It begins with a full-field view of Cas A, cycling through the movie several times. The camera then zooms into three different areas of Cas A where evolution of different features can been seen. This movie - the first of its kind for a supernova remnant - reveals new details about the supernova explosion and its remnant seen today.
[Runtime: 2:00]
(NASA/CXC/SAO/D.Patnaude et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG
This movie has been created from a series of X-ray observations from Chandra of Cassiopeia A (Cas A) over eight years. It begins with a full-field view of Cas A, cycling through the movie several times. The camera then zooms into three different areas of Cas A where evolution of different features can been seen. This movie - the first of its kind for a supernova remnant - reveals new details about the supernova explosion and its remnant seen today.
[Runtime: 2:00]
(NASA/CXC/SAO/D.Patnaude et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: Cassiopeia A
8. Tour of Cassiopeia A
QuicktimeMPEG Audio Only
[Runtime: 0.41]
(X-ray: NASA/CXC/Southampton/W. Ho et al.; Illustration: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss.)
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG Audio Only
- Audio (624.3 kb)
[Runtime: 0.41]
(X-ray: NASA/CXC/Southampton/W. Ho et al.; Illustration: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss.)
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: Cassiopeia A
9. Tour of E0102-72.3
QuicktimeMPEG Audio Only
[Runtime: 0.56]
(Credit: X-ray (NASA/CXC/MIT/D.Dewey et al. & NASA/CXC/SAO/J.DePasquale); Optical (NASA/STScI))
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG Audio Only
- Audio (748.5 kb)
[Runtime: 0.56]
(Credit: X-ray (NASA/CXC/MIT/D.Dewey et al. & NASA/CXC/SAO/J.DePasquale); Optical (NASA/STScI))
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: E0102-72.3
10. Tour of PSR B1509-58
QuicktimeMPEG Audio Only
[Runtime: 0.59]
(NASA/CXC/SAO/P.Slane, et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
QuicktimeMPEG Audio Only
- Audio (881.2 kb)
[Runtime: 0.59]
(NASA/CXC/SAO/P.Slane, et al.)
Related Chandra Images:
- Photo Album: PSR B1509-58
Revised: October 23, 2008