This is a composite image of N49, the brightest supernova remnant in
optical light in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Chandra X-ray image
(blue) shows million-degree gas in the center. Much cooler gas at the
outer parts of the remnant is seen in the infrared image from Spitzer
(red). While astronomers expected that dust particles were generating most
of the infrared emission, the study of this object indicates that much of
the infrared is instead generated in heated gas.
The unique filamentary structure seen in the optical image by Hubble
(white and yellow) has long set N49 apart from other well understood
supernova remnants, as most supernova remnants appear roughly circular in
visible light. Recent mapping of molecular clouds suggests that this
supernova remnant is expanding into a denser region to the southeast,
which would cause its asymmetrical appearance. This idea is confirmed by
the Chandra data. Although X-rays reveal a round shell of emission, the
X-rays also show brightening in the southeast, confirming the idea of
colliding material in that area.
