Which one of the following best describes the ‘30 Doradus B&rsqu...
Nasa's Chandra X-ray Observatory recently captured a stunning image of 30 Doradus B, a supernova remnant that is part of a vibrant region of space where stars have been forming for millions of years.
About 30 Doradus B:
- 30 Doradus B, also cataloged as NGC 2060, is a supernova remnant found in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small satellite galaxy of the Milky Way.
- It is part of a large star-forming region where stars have been continuously forming for the past 8 to 10 million years.
- It is a complex landscape of dark clouds of gas, young stars, high-energy shocks, and superheated gas, located 160,000 light-years away from Earth.
What is a Supernova?
- A supernova is the explosion of a star whose luminosity after an eruption suddenly increases many millions of times its normal level.
- Supernovas are "the largest explosion that takes place in space."
- A star can go supernova in one of two ways:
- Type I supernova: The star accumulates matter from a nearby neighbour until a runaway nuclear reaction ignites.
- Type II supernova: The star runs out of nuclear fuel and collapses under its own gravity.
- Supernovas can briefly outshine entire galaxies and radiate more energy than our sun will in its entire lifetime.
- They're also the primary source of heavy elements in the universe.
- They heat up the interstellar medium, distribute heavy elements throughout the Galaxy, and accelerate cosmic rays.
Hence option c is the correct answer.
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Which one of the following best describes the ‘30 Doradus B&rsqu...
Supernova Remnant '30 Doradus B'
The correct answer is option C, a supernova remnant. Here is an explanation of why '30 Doradus B' is a supernova remnant:
What is '30 Doradus B'?
'30 Doradus B' is a supernova remnant located in the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy. It is a remnant of a massive star that exploded in a supernova event.
Characteristics of Supernova Remnants
- Supernova remnants are the debris left behind after a massive star undergoes a supernova explosion.
- They are composed of elements that were created during the explosion, such as heavy metals like iron and nickel.
Importance of Studying '30 Doradus B'
- Studying supernova remnants like '30 Doradus B' helps astronomers understand the life cycle of stars and the process of stellar evolution.
- It provides valuable insights into the physical processes that occur during supernova explosions.
Observations of '30 Doradus B'
- Scientists use telescopes and observatories to study '30 Doradus B' and analyze its composition, structure, and dynamics.
- By analyzing the data from these observations, researchers can gain a better understanding of the nature of supernova remnants and their impact on the surrounding environment.
In conclusion, '30 Doradus B' is a supernova remnant that holds important clues about the explosive deaths of massive stars and the aftermath of supernova events. Studying this remnant helps scientists unravel the mysteries of the universe and advance our knowledge of astrophysics.
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