The rim of RCW 86
Image of part of a stellar remnant whose explosion was recorded in 185 AD. By studying this remnant in detail, a team of astronomers was able to solve the mystery of the Milky Way’s super-efficient particle accelerators. The team shows that the shock wave visible in this area is very efficient at accelerating particles and the energy used in this process matches the number of cosmic rays observed on Earth. North is toward the top right and east to the top left. The image is about 6 arc minutes across.
Credit:
ESO/E. Helder & NASA/Chandra
About the Image
| Id: | eso0923a |
| Release Date: | 25 Jun 2009 |
| Related release: | eso0923 |
| Size: | 1672 x 947 px |
About the Object
| Type: | • Nebulae |
