What are the visible, expanding clouds of gas and dust left after an explosion called?
Answer
Supernova remnants
The expanding envelope of gas and debris ejected during the supernova explosion constitutes a distinct astronomical feature known as a supernova remnant. These remnants, such as the well-known Crab Nebula, are not merely passive dissipating clouds; they actively interact with the surrounding interstellar medium. The shockwaves propagating outward from the explosion compress existing gas and dust clouds, which is a key mechanism that can potentially initiate the gravitational collapse required to form the next generation of stars and associated planetary systems. They also provide tangible structures for studying the dispersal patterns of heavy elements forged in the blast.
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