Which wavelengths can synchrotron radiation from supernova remnants include?
This nebula is the product of a supernova explosion; in this section, the blast wave has encountered an area of dense interstellar gas, creating turbulence in the wave and causing it to glow. The picture is a composite of three images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Synchrotron radiation produced by supernova remnants is generated by electrons spiraling in a magnetic field at speeds approaching the speed of light. Because these electrons exist at a wide variety of energy levels, they produce radiation across a broad spectrum.1
Synchrotron radiation from supernova remnants can include the following wavelengths:
- Radio21
- Infrared1
- Optical (visible light)21
- Ultraviolet21
- X-rays1
- Gamma rays1
This emission is characterized as nonthermal radiation, meaning it is not dependent on the temperature of the source. It is also typically highly polarized and continuous across these frequencies.21