On Dec. 31, NASA shared a photo to Twitter highlighting a very timely space object, given it looks like fireworks, and shared that it was a favorite image of the year. “DEM L 190 looks like #NewYearsEve fireworks!” the agency tweeted. “This supernova remnant was also voted our Twitter audience’s favorite Hubble image from 2022. Good choice!”

Can you explain what we see in this photo like we’re 5 years old?

What you’re looking at is the debris of what used to be the massive star known as DEM L 190, also known as LMC N49. This sky object is 160,000 light-years from Earth, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). This supernova is considered the “brightest supernova remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud,” a small Milky Way galaxy in the Dorado constellation. To us, this colorful, bright thread bundle image could be a beautiful firework, but what you’re really looking at is a collection of gas and dust leftover from after the death of the supernova. DEM L190 has been seen in images before, with the agency first publishing an image of this supernova remnant nearly 20 years ago. “This new image incorporates additional data and improved image processing techniques, making this spectacular celestial firework display even more striking,” the ESA explains.

title: “This Hubble Telescope Photo Was Just Named The Most Popular Of 2022” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-10” author: “Anthony Mann”

On Dec. 31, NASA shared a photo to Twitter highlighting a very timely space object, given it looks like fireworks, and shared that it was a favorite image of the year. “DEM L 190 looks like #NewYearsEve fireworks!” the agency tweeted. “This supernova remnant was also voted our Twitter audience’s favorite Hubble image from 2022. Good choice!”

Can you explain what we see in this photo like we’re 5 years old?

What you’re looking at is the debris of what used to be the massive star known as DEM L 190, also known as LMC N49. This sky object is 160,000 light-years from Earth, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). This supernova is considered the “brightest supernova remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud,” a small Milky Way galaxy in the Dorado constellation. To us, this colorful, bright thread bundle image could be a beautiful firework, but what you’re really looking at is a collection of gas and dust leftover from after the death of the supernova. DEM L190 has been seen in images before, with the agency first publishing an image of this supernova remnant nearly 20 years ago. “This new image incorporates additional data and improved image processing techniques, making this spectacular celestial firework display even more striking,” the ESA explains.