Chapter 1: Introduction to Cosmic Fireworks

In this section, we delve into the fascinating narrative of Eta Carinae, a nearby stellar explosion. This phenomenon is a testament to the grandeur of the universe. Credit for the images goes to NASA, ESA, N. Smith (UofA), and J. Morse (BoldlyGo Institute).

Celebratory fireworks pale in comparison to the magnificent cosmic explosions that create new stars and dismantle old ones in the universe. As a science journalist, I've documented extraordinary cosmic visuals since the 1990s. While it's challenging to rank my favorites, I've sifted through my archives to present ten of the most stunning images of cosmic fireworks, starting with a recent capture from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope:

The protostar at the center of this striking hourglass shape, located 460 light-years from our planet, is in the process of accumulating gas and dust, ready to transform into a full-fledged star. Along its rotational axis, this 100,000-year-old embryo emits shock waves that interact with the surrounding material, illuminating the hourglass shape. This effect is reminiscent of how fireworks brighten the clouds around them during celebrations.

Yet, this image is just a glimpse of the wonders that space has to offer. NASA and other space agencies frequently unveil such captivating images leading up to events like the 4th of July, often using the term "fireworks" in their descriptions. This next image is truly extraordinary...

This image depicts the remnants of a star that exploded as a supernova in 1181 AD. At that time, it could be seen from Earth for 185 days, shining brightly in the constellation Cassiopeia. The image, which combines data from various telescopes capturing X-rays, infrared, and optical light, reveals the cause of this ancient explosion: a collision between two white dwarf stars that resulted in a "zombie star."

I must highlight the spiral galaxy NGC 6946, affectionately known as the Fireworks Galaxy. This nickname comes from the discovery of eight supernovas exploding in its spiral arms, resembling the swirling clouds of a hurricane. The image combines optical data from the Gemini Observatory with X-ray data from the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.

The first video showcases the spectacular display of fireworks through an engaging lens, capturing the essence of celestial phenomena.

Supernova remnants can take on various shapes. In the vicinity of our Milky Way Galaxy lies the Large Magellanic Cloud, which harbors the remains of a massive star that exploded, leaving behind strands and layers of gas known as DEM L 190. The light reaching us today portrays a scene from 160,000 years ago.

The second video, “10 x Bang in a Box from Fantastic Fireworks,” illustrates the exhilarating effects of fireworks, drawing a parallel to the cosmic explosions we've discussed.

Chapter 2: The Majesty of Stellar Explosions

The Helix Nebula, a favorite among amateur astrophotographers, is classified as a planetary nebula. Early astronomers mistook these fuzzy formations for nearby planets due to the limitations of their telescopes. Located 650 light-years away and spanning 6 light-years across, this nebula was captured in infrared by the Spitzer Space Telescope in 2007.

Earlier this year, the James Webb Telescope provided an infrared glimpse of the starburst galaxy NGC 4449, which is rapidly forming new stars, represented by the bright blue dots. This intense star formation is likely a result of a recent collision with another galaxy.

In 1997, the Hubble Space Telescope revealed clusters of new star formation in the nearby galaxy NGC 4214, located 13 million light-years from Earth. The image excited astronomers as it illustrated the "fireworks of star formation," illuminating the surrounding gas and dust.

Star formation is evident in this vibrant image of the central star cluster Westerlund 2. The red regions signify hydrogen, while the bluish-green hues indicate hydrogen and oxygen. This photo was released in 2015 to commemorate Hubble's 25th anniversary.

The stunning image of the spiral galaxy NGC 4258, released by NASA on July 3, 2018, captures a black hole at its center. This galaxy shares similarities with our Milky Way, but stands out due to its two additional spiral arms that emit X-ray, optical, and radio light.

Without a doubt, my favorite cosmic fireworks are from Eta Carinae, a binary star system that erupted in 1838. Despite being 7,500 light-years away, it became the second brightest star in the night sky by April 1844, serving as a navigational guide for sailors. Although it is dimmer today, the remnants of the explosive eruption, known as the Homunculus Nebula, remain visible through telescopes, including those from Hubble. The colorful expanding clouds of gas and dust, expelled in 1844, are heated by shock waves as they collide with previously ejected material.

And that's how true cosmic fireworks come to be!