Chandra Release - March 20, 2008

Visual Description: SNR 0509-67.5

The X-ray and optical images of the supernova remnant SNR 0509-67.5 is divided into 3 parts: a full field optical image at left, a closeup X-ray image on the upper right and a close up optical image on the lower right.  The full field image reveals a large expanse of Large Magellanic Cloud in which the supernova resides. Filled with stars and dust, other supernova remnants, and shells and nebulas in pinks, oranges and purples, like a big spread of glitter and light.  The location of the supernova at the upper right of the field is noted, with the location of the light echo just below it and a bit over to the right. In the close-up X-ray image, we can see a nebula that appears to be in the shape of a filled in green jelly doughnut.  In the closeup optical image, we can see a detailed view of the light echo, looking like blue lightning with some gold sparkles. This combination of X-ray and optical images essentially shows the aftermath of a powerful supernova explosion in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The debris from this explosion, the supernova remnant SNR 0509-67.5, is shown in the Chandra X-ray Observatory image (upper inset). In 2004, scientists used Chandra to show that SNR 0509-67.5 was likely caused by a Type Ia supernova, using an analysis of the elements, such as silicon and iron, that were detected. A Type Ia is thought to result from a white dwarf star in a binary system that reaches a critical mass and explodes.  The light echo image (lower right) from the Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile shows optical light from the original supernova explosion that has bounced off dust clouds in the neighboring regions of the LMC (the light echoes are the blue and stars in gold). The light from these echoes travels a longer path than the light that travels straight toward us, and so can be seen hundreds of years after the supernova itself.