NASA Timelapse Displays 25 Years of Development in a Supernova Remnant

Kepler’s Supernova, initially detected in 1604, has remained a focal point of extensive investigation for astronomers due to its captivating remnants. As a Type Ia supernova, it arises from a binary system wherein one star is a white dwarf. When this white dwarf surpasses its critical mass by drawing in material from its companion or merging with another white dwarf, it detonates. The remnants of this particular supernova have increasingly garnered attention as they offer vital insights into the expansion of the universe.

NASA recently unveiled a time-lapse video produced over 25 years, illustrating the development of Kepler’s Supernova’s remnant. The data for this footage was obtained from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the most advanced X-ray telescope in existence. Despite being 17,000 light years away from Earth, Chandra succeeded in capturing the remnant’s transformation as its materials radiate intense X-ray light after being heated to millions of degrees due to the explosion. The video encompasses images captured in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2014, and 2025.

The initiative resulting in this time-lapse video was led by Jessye Gassel, a graduate student at George Mason University. “The narrative of Kepler’s story is just starting to unfold,” Gassel noted, emphasizing the opportunity to observe the interactions between the remnants and the material expelled into space. The video illustrates the velocities of the remnant: the fastest parts moving at approximately 13.8 million miles per hour (2% of the speed of light) and the slowest at 4 million miles per hour (0.5% of the speed of light). This variation in speed is attributed to the differing gas densities in various areas surrounding the remnant, providing astronomers with new revelations about the explosion’s dynamics.

Brian Williams from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center highlights the significance of comprehending supernova behaviors, as such explosions are instrumental in the formation of new stars and planets. Consequently, thoroughly exploring these stellar phenomena is essential for deciphering our cosmic history. The launch of this time-lapse video allows both scientists and the public to marvel at the magnificence and importance of these remnants in mapping our universe’s expansion and history.