Cassiopeia A

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captured a high-definition image of the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A using its Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam). The image reveals intricate details, including the expanding shell of material slamming into gas shed by the star before it exploded. Clumps of bright orange and light pink form the inner shell, composed of sulphur, oxygen, argon, and neon from the star. These knots of gas provide insight into how the dying star shattered during the explosion. The outer edges of the inner shell resemble smoke from a campfire, where ejected material collides with surrounding circumstellar material. In certain regions, white colour results from synchrotron radiation generated by charged particles spiralling around magnetic field lines. Additionally, light echoes are visible, particularly in the bottom right corner, where distant dust glows as it cools down from the star’s ancient explosion.

Experience the vibrant beauty of our giclée fine art. Crafted with precision, our printing process makes use of 11 separate inks, resulting in vivid colours and sharp details. These exquisite prints are designed to be framed, preserving their flawless finish. We use 308 gsm Hahnemüle Photo Rag paper, known for its smooth texture and matte surface. Expect deep blacks, even colour reproduction and exceptional detail. The delicate cotton feel of the paper ensures smooth colour gradients.