NASA is providing Instagram users with a unique opportunity to explore the universe through a new augmented reality (AR) filter that brings captivating celestial objects to life on your screen. Using data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and other space telescopes, this “Instagram experience” immerses you in the wonders of space by placing astronomical objects right next to you on camera. “Travel through the vastness of space and experience several astronomical objects — including the debris fields of exploded stars — with our new interactive Instagram experiences,” NASA shared in an Instagram post.
The AR filter can display cosmic phenomena such as supernova remnants and dense clouds of gas and dust where stars are born. This innovative tool celebrates Chandra’s 25th anniversary, which launched on July 23, 1999. An example on the @NASAChandraXray profile showed a woman with the Cat’s Eye Nebula glowing brilliantly behind her.
How to use the filter?
To use the Instagram Chandra experience, search for the “NASAChandraXray” account, select the effects options, and choose the desired effect. You can save the effect to your camera or try it instantly. Kimberly Arcand, Chandra X-ray Center visualization and emerging technology scientist stated, “We are excited to bring data from the universe down to Earth in this way.” “Enabling people to access cosmic data on their phones and through AR brings Chandra’s amazing discoveries right to your fingertips.
What is all there to explore?
Some of the celestial bodies you can explore include the Cat’s Eye Nebula, Vela pulsar, and Tycho’s supernova remnant. For example, the Cat’s Eye Nebula appears as a round formation with a glowing rim and a diamond-shaped blue center, resembling a cat’s eye. Users can back up and point to see the full view of this mesmerizing nebula. The Vela pulsar, located 1,000 light-years away, is a neutron star that resulted from a massive star’s collapse. It spins 11 times per second and emits jets from its poles at 70 percent of the speed of light.
Tycho’s supernova remnant, found 8,000 to 10,000 light-years from Earth, is another fascinating object you can explore. Named after Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, this remnant is from a Type Ia supernova, which occurs when a white dwarf accumulates material from a companion star until a nuclear explosion obliterates it. Additionally, you can view the Helix Nebula, an expanding cloud of stellar material located around 650 light-years away.