Currently, sci.esa.int is under review and not being updated. For the latest information and news from ESA science missions and scientific results, please visit esa.int. For a comprehensive overview of ESA’s Science Programme and its missions, please refer to science.esa.int. For in-depth technical information aimed at ESA's scientific communities, you may also wish to consult cosmos.esa.int.

Asset Publisher

Back Fireworks in the Sky

Fireworks in the Sky


Depicts: Cassiopeia A
Copyright: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

Glowing gaseous streamers of red, white, and blue as well as green and pink illuminate the heavens like Fourth of July fireworks. The colorful streamers that float across the sky in this photo taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope were created by the universe's biggest firecracker, the titanic supernova explosion of a massive star.

The light from the exploding star reached Earth 320 years ago. The dead star's shredded remains are called Cassiopeia A, or "Cas A" for short. Cas A is the youngest known supernova remnant in our Milky Way Galaxy and resides 10,000 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia, so the star actually blew up 10,000 years before the light reached Earth in the late 1600s.

Last Update: 1 September 2019
7-Feb-2026 23:10 UT

ShortUrl Portlet

Shortcut URL

https://sci.esa.int/s/wx5ZOQW

Latest Selection

Also Available As

Related Images

Related Videos

Caption & Press Release

Related Publications

Related Links

See Also

Documentation