NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day features supernova remnant Pa 30

NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for October 7 features the supernova remnant known as Pa 30, the expanding debris field left behind after a star's explosive death.

The Astronomy Picture of the Day, run with Michigan Technological University, publishes a new astronomical image each day along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer, drawing from observations and imagery contributed by researchers and astrophotographers.

Supernova remnants such as Pa 30 are what remains after a massive star or a white dwarf reaches the end of its life and explodes, scattering material outward into surrounding space over time. These remnants are studied by astronomers for the clues they offer about the physics of stellar explosions and the enrichment of interstellar space with heavier elements.

The feature is part of NASA's long-running outreach effort to share astronomical imagery with the public, with an archive, submission process and educational material available alongside the daily image.