XRISM captured the high-resolution spectrum of supernova remnant N132D for the first time, giving us an unprecedented in-depth understanding of the chemical and physical properties of stars after explosions, thus deepening our understanding of the elemental composition of the universe.

XRISM's Resolve instrument captured data from supernova remnant N132D in the Large Magellanic Cloud, producing the most detailed X-ray spectrum ever produced for the object. The spectrum shows peaks associated with silicon, sulfur, argon, calcium and iron. The inset is an N132D image taken by XRISM's Xtend instrument. Source: JAXA/NASA/XRISMResolve and Xtend

This image is the first high-resolution spectrum captured by the Resolution instrument on the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's XRISM mission. It shows the X-ray energy produced in the remnant of a massive star in the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud that exploded to create a "supernova remnant" called N132D. Spectra like this will allow scientists to measure the temperature and motion of X-ray emitting gases with unprecedented sensitivity and precision.

The spectrum shows which chemical elements are present in N132D. XRISM can identify each element by measuring the specific energy of the X-ray light emitted by each element (the "keV" on the x-axis in the diagram refers to kiloelectronvolts, a unit of energy). XRISM's "energy resolution" (the ability to distinguish X-ray light of different energies) is incredible. The faint gray line shows the same spectrum from the XIS instrument (data source) on the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Suzusaku X-ray telescope. Within the energy range displayed by this spectrum, XRISM's energy resolution is more than 40 times better.

This periodic table describes the major sources of each element on Earth. In cases where both sources contribute equally, both sources are present. Source: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

This energy range allows scientists to distinguish between elements such as silicon (Si), sulfur (S), argon (Ar), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) - elements that are only produced in supernova explosions (see image above). XRISM can help us measure their abundance and velocity. It also allows us to create three-dimensional maps of the movement and distribution of chemical elements caused by the interaction of the supernova remnant with its surrounding environment. This gives us clues about the nature of the explosion that created the supernova remnant and the distribution of elements that ultimately make up the building blocks of Earth and life as we know it.

From this spectrum, XRISM separated the previously indistinguishable sulfur and iron spikes and successfully detected the silicon and calcium spikes with greater clarity than ever before. The incredibly sharp spectrum is paired with the upper right image of the same supernova remnant taken simultaneously by XRISM's Xtend instrument.

Compiled source: ScitechDaily