Cassiopeia A

Cassiopeia A is a well-studied supernova remnant, the leftover evidence of a massive star that exploded about 11,000 years ago. Located approximately 11,000 light-years from Earth, it appears as a bright, complex structure in space. The explosion ejected material at high speeds, creating a expanding shell of gas and dust that emits energy detectable in various wavelengths, including X-rays and radio waves. Studying Cassiopeia A helps scientists understand how stars end their lives, enrich the space environment with heavy elements, and contribute to the formation of new stars and planets.