What makes Cassiopeia A a fascinating supernova remnant from the 17th century?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Nugatory
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Supernova
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Cassiopeia A is a supernova remnant resulting from a massive star's collapse in the 17th century, located approximately 11,000 light-years from Earth. The discussion highlights the discrepancies in reporting by the Washington Post regarding the timing of the supernova event versus its observation. Participants express skepticism about the article's accuracy, rating it poorly on a subjective scale. The conversation also touches on the philosophical implications of the ether concept in relation to scientific observations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of supernova phenomena
  • Familiarity with astronomical distances and light-years
  • Basic knowledge of the ether theory in physics
  • Awareness of the IXPE orbiting telescope's purpose and capabilities
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical context of Cassiopeia A and its significance in astronomy
  • Explore the IXPE telescope's technology and its contributions to astrophysics
  • Study the ether theory and its relevance in modern physics
  • Investigate the impact of media reporting on scientific understanding
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physics enthusiasts, science communicators, and anyone interested in the historical and scientific significance of supernova remnants.

Nugatory
Mentor
Messages
15,495
Reaction score
10,688
From the Washington Post's coverage of the IXPE orbiting telescope:
Cassiopeia A is the remnant of a supernova explosion that took place when a gigantic star collapsed in the 17th century. It's visible in the night sky about 11,000 light-years away
 
Reply
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: DaveE
Physics news on Phys.org
Mixing the time of observation with the actual time of event?

Come on, starting a rant for every illogical absurdity picked from the news would earn me a permanent ban within a day, I guess :doh: Don't take this so seriously o0)
 
Reply
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: nuuskur
On a scale of 1 ... 10, that WP article gets a "minus 3" - since we clearly can use any number we want to rate it.
 
Reply
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: nuuskur
Washington Post answering machine: "You have 67 missed calls from the ether by Albert Einstein"
 
Last edited:
Reply
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: DennisN
nuuskur said:
Washington Post answering machine: "You have 67 missed calls from the ether by Albert Einstein"
Either there is an ether or there's not. It's ether-or.
 
Reply
  • Haha
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: nuuskur, BillTre and OmCheeto

Similar threads

Undergrad What are the Dynamics and Impacts of a Type II Supernova?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad SN 2019hgp, new type of supernova? Wolf-Rayet progenitor?
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
Stargazing What will be the outcome of the NGC4993 neutron remnant collision?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
RIP Joan Feynman: A Woman Scientist Ahead of Her Time
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Luminosity and neutrino questions
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Can you please check my answers to those short astronomy questions?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Undergrad The star Betelgeuse going supernova soon?
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
33K
Undergrad Where can I find publicly accessible data from observatories in Europe?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Graduate What is the ultimate fate of a massive star in space?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Supernova Explosion: 720 Light-Years Away from Earth
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K