VALPARAISO, CHILE – Astronomers in Valparaiso, Chile recently achieved a groundbreaking milestone by capturing a 1.3 gigapixel image of the Vela supernova remnant. Situated in the southern constellation of Vela, this remnant is the remains of a supernova explosion that occurred approximately 11,000 years ago. Owing to its proximity to Earth, being just 800 light years away, the Vela supernova remnant is deemed the most extensively studied remnant in the celestial sphere.
Equipped with Chile’s Dark Energy Camera (DECam), researchers were able to produce an incredibly detailed image of the dust filaments and gas tendrils spanning across 100 light years of the remnant. The DECam utilized three specialized filters, each collecting distinct colors of light, which were then amalgamated to generate the high-resolution composite image.
Despite its vast expanse in the sky, the Vela supernova remnant may not appear impressive to the naked eye, resembling a faint celestial object. However, with the aid of a telescope, individuals in the southern hemisphere can easily spot it nestled amidst the stars Suhail and Suhail al Muhlif in the constellation Vela.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this endeavor is the DECam’s ability to capture wavelengths of light that are invisible to the human eye. By photographing across wavelengths from 400nm to 1,080nm, including infrared light, the camera brought into focus the wispy gas tendrils emanating from the remnant nebula, enhancing the image’s clarity and detail.
Astronomers revealed that the explosion of the star, which led to the creation of the Vela supernova remnant, occurred 11,000 years ago; however, the remnant is still expanding. The shockwave generated by the explosion continues to propel energized gas away from the detonation point, resulting in the formation of distinct blue and yellow filaments. Furthermore, the core of the original star evolved into a neutron star known as the Vela Pulsar, characterized by a strong magnetic field that emits radiation beams periodically, akin to a rotating lighthouse bulb.
The image captured by the DECam serves as a testament to human ingenuity and technological advancements in the realm of astronomy, shedding light on the intricate beauty of cosmic phenomena and offering insights into the vast universe that surrounds us.