How to hold a dead star in your hand (Synopsis) [Starts With A Bang]

“When a star goes supernova, the explosion emits enough light to overshadow an entire solar system, even a galaxy. Such explosions can set off the creation of new stars. In its own way, it was not unlike being born.” -Todd Nelsen

The vast majority of elements beyond hydrogen found on Earth were created inside a massive star and blown back into the interstellar medium in a catastrophic supernova explosion. In a certain way, everything you’ve ever held in your hand — including another person’s hand — is you holding a dead star.

The Cassiopeia A supernova remnant, as imaged in the visible part of the spectrum by the Hubble Space Telescope. Image credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration. Acknowledgement: Robert A. Fesen (Dartmouth College, USA) and James Long (ESA/Hubble).

But thanks to the Chandra X-ray Observatory and more than 13 years of observations of an expanding, young supernova remnant, we’re able to construct a true 3D model of one of the galaxy’s youngest dead stars. Thanks to 3D printing, you can now literally hold a dead star in your hand.

The Cassiopeia A supernova remnant, rendered for 3D printing. Image credit: NASA/CXC/SAO & Smithsonian Institution, with a screenshot taken via http://ift.tt/1qqQd79.

New Starts With A Bang contributor Kim Kowal Arcand has the story over on Forbes!

from ScienceBlogs http://ift.tt/1NwVipC