The appearance of E0102 is best explained by a model in which theejecta is shaped like acylinder that is being viewed almost exactly end-on.[1] This model suggests that the explosion that created the E0102 remnant may itself have been stronglyasymmetric, consistent with the rapid kicks given toneutron stars after supernova explosions. Another possibility is that the star exploded into a disk of material formed when material was shed from the equator of the pre-supernovared giant star. Such asymmetries have been observed in winds from lower mass red giants that formplanetary nebulae.
The remnant consists of an outer blast wave produced by the supernova, and an inner ring of cooler material.[1] This inner ring is probably expanding ejecta from the explosion that is being heated by ashock wave travelling backwards into the ejecta. At its center is an isolatedneutron star, the first such neutron star discovered outside the Milky Way.[2]
Related media on Commons![Featured in this Hubble image is an expanding, gaseous corpse — a supernova remnant — known as 1E 0102.2-7219.[3]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aHubble_Pinpoints_Supernova_Blast.jpg)
