Fact Sheet
On the Bubble
The remains of an exploded star expand into the galaxy in this composite image from Chandra X-Ray Observatory and optical and radio telescopes on the ground. The star exploded in the year 1006 as seen from Earth, so it is known as Supernova 1006. The star's remnants continue to expand at several percent of the speed of light, so this bubble of gas and dust spans several dozen light-years. The bright yellow band at top right is where the expanding cloud is ramming into denser gas around it, creating a shockwave. The supernova remnant is about 7,000 light-years away.[NASA/NRAO/NOAO/et al]
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