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INFUSE, a new sounding rocket mission, is set to launch to study the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant. This mission aims to uncover the secrets behind stellar explosions and their role in the creation of new celestial bodies. By combining imaging and spectroscopy, INFUSE will provide unique insights into the dynamics of supernovae.

The Cygnus Loop, also known as the Veil Nebula, is a celestial phenomenon located in the constellation Cygnus. This remnant is the result of a star that collapsed under its own gravity and exploded as a supernova around 20,000 years ago. Despite being 2,600 light-years away, the flash of light produced by the explosion would have been visible from Earth even during daylight.

Supernovae play a crucial role in the formation of galaxies. These explosive events distribute heavy metals formed within a star’s core into surrounding dust and gas clouds. They are responsible for the creation of all elements in the universe heavier than iron. The remnant left behind by a supernova, such as the Cygnus Loop, serves as the building blocks for the formation of planets, stars, and new star systems.

The Cygnus Loop is expanding at a speed of approximately 930,000 miles per hour. What we observe from telescopes is not the blast itself, but the dust and gas that have been superheated by the shockwave. INFUSE will study how the energy from the supernova is deposited into the Milky Way by observing the light emitted as the blast wave interacts with pockets of cold gas.

To observe the shock front, INFUSE utilizes a far-ultraviolet telescope. This type of light is too energetic for human eyes to see, but it reveals gas temperatures between 90,000 and 540,000 degrees Fahrenheit. INFUSE is the first instrument of its kind to combine imaging and spectroscopy, providing a comprehensive understanding of the light source’s composition, temperature, and motion.

The INFUSE mission, launching in October 2023, will pave the way for a better understanding of supernovae and their impact on the formation of celestial bodies. By studying the Cygnus Loop, scientists hope to unravel the mysteries of explosive stellar deaths and gain deeper insights into the mechanisms that shape our universe.

Sources:

Source article: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “New Rocket Mission Will Provide Unprecedented Views of Remnants of a Star’s Explosion.” NASA, 27 Oct. 2021.

Definition of Milky Way: NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program. “The Milky Way Galaxy.” NASA, 18 Nov. 2021.

Definition of Fahrenheit: Encyclopædia Britannica. “Fahrenheit temperature scale.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2018.

Definition of Celsius: Encyclopædia Britannica. “Celsius temperature scale.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2018.

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