Explanation:
An image of supernova remnant E0102-72 celebrating the 10th anniversary of Chandra.
This multi-wavelength composite image combines X-ray data from the Chandra Observatory and optical data from the Hubble Space Telescope to present the expanding cloud of debris left behind by the explosion of a massive star. The supernova remnant, named E0102-72, is located in the nearby Small Magellanic Cloud, approximately 190,000 light-years away from us. E0102 is a bright cosmic X-ray source, so Chandra observed it shortly after its launch in 1999. To celebrate Chandra’s tenth anniversary, this color image of E0102 and its surroundings was specially composed by combining newer Chandra data. After analyzing all the data, it was discovered that E0102 might have a cylindrical appearance rather than a spherical one, and we happen to be looking straight down the end. This interesting result indicates that the debris cloud produced by the explosion of a massive star can have an appearance similar to the planetary nebulae produced by some low-mass stars. Based on the distance to the Small Magellanic Cloud, this image covers an area of approximately 150 light-years.
Translation source:
http://www.skylook.org/apod/ap090905.html
Reports from 10 years ago:
http://www.skylook.org/apod/ap991209.html
http://www.skylook.org/apod/ap000414.html
NASA Website:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html