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
Type:Observation
Release date:25 June 2009
Related releases:eso0923
Size:1672 x 947 px

About the Object

Name:RCW 86
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Supernova Remnant
Distance:8000 light years
Constellation:Circinus
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEG
487.1 KB
Screensize JPEG
207.5 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
290.2 KB
1280x1024
381.0 KB
1600x1200
500.3 KB
1920x1200
599.7 KB
2048x1536
691.5 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):14 45 8.13
Position (Dec):-62° 17' 57.26"
Field of view:7.04 x 3.99 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 70.6° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
X-rayChandra X-ray Observatory
OpticalVery Large Telescope