What expanding structure is formed immediately after a supernova explosion?
Answer
A supernova remnant.
Following the cataclysmic explosion of a supernova—whether it is the thermonuclear destruction of a Type Ia or the core-collapse of a Type II—the immediate aftermath is characterized by the rapidly expanding cloud of gas and dust ejected from the star. This expanding shell of material is scientifically termed a supernova remnant. These remnants are crucial for astrophysical study because they sweep up surrounding interstellar material and contain the heavy elements forged during the star's life and the explosion itself. They serve as visible reminders of past stellar deaths, evolving and expanding over thousands of years, offering direct insight into galactic chemical enrichment.
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