Chandra Release - November 15, 2005

Visual Description: DEM L316

This is a composite X-ray (colored red and green) and optical (colored blue) image of two hot gas shells produced by supernova explosions.  The image overall features a bright purple and pink object, which are the supernova remnants, on a black background.  It appears to be shaped like an uneven butterfly with a much larger wing coming towards the viewer, and with a couple bright spots dotted around the center.  The texture within the butterfly-shape can be compared to translucent but bright jellyfish. This object, DEML 316, was produced by the remnants of two exploded stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy. Although the two shells of hot gas appear to be colliding, this may be an illusion.