James Webb’s First Stunning Image of Cassiopeia A, Fragments of a Hellish Explosion

April 7, 2023 • by Staff Writer

A new image of a supernova remnant reveals wonders, beauty, secrets of star structure and building blocks of life.

Colorful wisps of gas and dust are seen in this telescope image of the remains of a supernova explosion
Cassiopeia A (Cas A) is a supernova remnant located about 11,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It spans approximately 10 light-years. This new image uses data from Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to reveal Cas A in a new light. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, D. D. Milisavljevic (Purdue), T. Temim (Princeton), I. De Looze (Ghent University). Image Processing: J. DePasquale (STScI).

Share


A gloved hand holds a small bat

McDonald Observatory

Stowaway Bat Returns Home Friday, July 25

A telescope dome under a starry sky at night with an open door and telescope visible inside

McDonald Observatory

Giant Magellan Telescope Advances to National Science Foundation Final Design Phase

A deep view of space is dotted with stars and galaxies

McDonald Observatory

COSMOS-Web Releases Deepest Yet View Into the Universe