HomeScience and TechnologyScience and TechnologyFriday, November 3, 2023 – 3:46 PM
NASA’s new X-ray telescope observed a mysterious cosmic formation in the shape of an outstretched hand in space, 16,000 light-years from Earth, for a period of up to 17 days, which is considered a record. Although this formation has been observed previously, this time is considered the longest that the telescope has observed this strange object.
This strange formation that looks like an arm extending out into space is, in fact, the remains of a star that exploded about 1,700 years ago. Known as MSH 15-52, it is one of the smallest explosions to have occurred in the Milky Way.
“About 1,500 years ago, our galaxy ran out of nuclear fuel, and when that happened, the star collapsed in on itself and formed an extremely dense object called a neutron star,” explained researchers led by Stanford University in California.
The formation MSH 15-52 was first observed by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory in 2001, where it observed a hand-like formation.
However, the agency’s X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has provided more details about this mysterious remnant, as well as a purple glow emanating from this space object.
“The IXPE data provide us with the first map of this strange formation,” said Roger Romani of Stanford University in California, who led the study. “The charged particles produced reveal completely new details about this space phenomenon.” Scientists believe that these discoveries may contribute to a deeper understanding of the secrets of the universe and its formation.
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