Supernovae carcasses The XMM is beginning to churn out many other images and data. The observations are expected to help scientists learn about the mass and type of a star that exploded and about subsequent phenomena that occur as the explosion rips through interstellar space. This is the material that contributes to the formation of new solar systems and planets. The supernova remnant N132D is in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a nearby galaxy. And the X-rays we detect from the heart of such clusters is like an ultimate cry of help before matter is swallowed by a black hole.
Engineers say the observatory's instruments are functioning as planned, except for one setback.
The problem is expected to be managed without a decrease in performance by using backup systems, said project scientist Fred Jansen. Click here for more news and information about deep space objects.