A team of astronomers has captured the most detailed view yet of Pa 30, a supernova remnant in the Milky Way, and found something unexpected: chains of gas knots that look like pearls on a string, each wide enough to fit the solar system multiple times.
The findings, led by Ilaria Caiazzo, assistant professor at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), were published in The Astrophysical Journal. The team used the Gemini North telescope to study the remnant, which comes from a star seen exploding nearly 850 years ago.
The Remnant’s History
Pa 30 is the only known supernova remnant of its kind in the Milky Way. That makes it a unique object for study.
What the Images Show
The new images show gas knots arranged in chains, each one wide enough to fit the solar system multiple times. The knots look like pearls strung along a necklace, giving the remnant its distinctive appearance.
The Telescope Used
The Gemini North telescope captured the images. The team’s work reveals the remnant’s structure in detail.
The ISTA Connection
Ilaria Caiazzo leads the research as assistant professor at ISTA, the Institute of Science and Technology Austria. Her role reflects the international nature of the project.
The Publication
The findings are published in The Astrophysical Journal.
The Date of the Explosion
The star behind Pa 30 exploded nearly 850 years ago.
A New Look at an Old Star
The images reveal a remnant that now shows its true complexity.
The Research Team
Ilaria Caiazzo leads the research as assistant professor at ISTA, the Institute of Science and Technology Austria.
The result is a stunning visual record of a cosmic event that unfolded centuries ago.
The image itself carries the message. Gas knots wide enough to fit the solar system strung out like pearls across a remnant from a star seen exploding nearly 850 years ago — that is the story.
Timeline of the Project
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Star explosion observed | Nearly 850 years ago |
| Images captured | Recent observations using Gemini North |
| Paper published | In The Astrophysical Journal |
This table outlines the key dates and events in the study of Pa 30.
Source material: “Striking new images of unique supernova remnant reveal pearl-like chains,” Phys.org.
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