SN 2006X, before and after the Type Ia Supernova explosion (artist's impression)

Left : artist's impression of the favoured configuration for the progenitor system of SN2006X before the explosion. The White Dwarf (on the right) accretes material from the Red Giant star, which is losing gas in the form of stellar wind (the diffuse material surrounding the giant). Only part of the gas is accreted by the White Dwarf, through a so-called accretion disc which surrounds the compact star. The remaining gas escapes the system and eventually dissipates into the interstellar medium. The Red Giant star has a radius about 100 times larger than our Sun, while the White Dwarf is about 100 times smaller than the Sun.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0731b
Type:Artwork
Release date:12 July 2007
Related releases:eso0731
Size:5429 x 3126 px

About the Object

Name:SN 2006X
Type:Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Red Giant
Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : White Dwarf
Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova
Distance:50 million light years
Category:Illustrations
Stars

Image Formats

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6.2 MB
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196.6 KB