NASA's Rocket Mission: Exploring a Supernova Remnant

NASA will launch a rocket on October 29 to study the Cygnus Loop, a star-forming supernova remnant located 2,600 light-years away. The remnant, which resulted from a massive star's explosion 20,000 years ago, is still expanding and provides insights into the formation of galaxies. The mission, called INFUSE, will collect data on the remnant's far-ultraviolet wavelengths to understand how the supernova releases energy into the Milky Way and the distribution of specific elements within the remnant. This research will contribute to our understanding of the life cycles of stars and galaxies.