--- title: "Supercomputer Spits Out Amazing Image of Exploded Star" description: "Researchers harnessing the power of the ASKAP radio telescope and a new Setonix supercomputer were able to capture an image of a supernova remnant." date: "2022-08-11" modified: "2022-08-11" authors: - name: "Frank Landymore" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/flandymore" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/supercomputer-amazing-image-exploded-star" categories: - "Off-World" - "Space" tags: - "snrs" - "stars" - "supernova" - "the digest" --- # Supercomputer Spits Out Amazing Image of Exploded Star ![Researchers harnessing the power of the ASKAP radio telescope and a new Setonix supercomputer were able to capture an image of a supernova remnant.]() *\Image: M. Weiss\* ## Dead Star When a star dies in a spectacularly powerful [supernova](), it blasts its incredibly hot remains into the cosmos, forming what's called supernova remnants (SNRs) in the aftermath. Looking to visualize one of these stellar oddities, a team of researchers at Australia’s national science agency CSIRO collected data from the extremely sensitive [Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder]() (ASKAP) radio telescope observing an SNR and fed it into a brand spanking new supercomputer called Setonix. And the image that Setonix synthesized, [as published in *The Conversation*](), is absolutely stunning, serving as a convincing demonstration of the prowess of supercomputers. ![]() ## It's A Looker The depicted SNR, designated G261.9+5.5, was first identified as one [back in 1967](), and is believed to be over one million years old, the researchers say. But at some 10,000 to 15,000 light years away, it’s pretty far out there. While it’s unclear which type of SNR we're looking at, we can at least revel in how awesome it looks. What gives an SNR that distinct appearance is its tendency to sweep up, compress, and then heat up drifting material in the interstellar medium. The resulting shockwaves also compress interstellar magnetic fields that trap energetic electrons, the emissions of which can be captured in radio telescopes like ASKAP. ## Trial By Fire The researchers say that their SNR-imaging venture proved to be a great way of testing the Setonix supercomputer’s capabilities. The data collected from ASKAP is a lot to process, and to map out something as complex as an SNR in high detail is no small feat. But when the team put Setonix to work in rendering G261.9+5.5, the supercomputer performed admirably, spitting out the image in less than 24 hours. That’s good news, as it means that more ambitious observations by ASKAP could be quickly processed by Setonix in the future, allowing scientists to get a closer look at the interstellar medium, and beyond. **Read more:** [*A new Australian supercomputer has already delivered a stunning supernova remnant pic*]() **More on stars:** *[Astronomers Just Watched a Neutron Star Hulk Smash Another Star]()* ## Author At Futurism, my work has often centered on bringing a sense of clarity and insight to complex topics ranging from the regulation of emerging technologies to the esoteric ideologies of Silicon Valley executives, while striving not to lose the poetic sense of awe inspired by often-obscure fields like astrophysics and quantum computing. I broke the story of CNET using AI to produce articles that turned out to be riddled with factual errors and plagiarism — a dam-breaking inflection point, as I've reported, that's inspired copycats and endless discourse while beguiling stakeholders ranging from tech giants to purveyors of spam around the web. My work at Futurism has been cited by publications including CBS News, the Los Angeles Times, Vice, Gizmodo, Engadget, the Verge, and Vanity Fair. I grew up in locales ranging from India to China, and now live in the exotic suburbs of Virginia. In my free time, I'm an avid reader of weird sci-fi literature, an aficionado of East Asian cinema, and, regrettably, a relapsed gamer. Allegedly, I’m working on a debut novel, currently untitled. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()