Part of our Galaxy is exploding. Recent radio observations show new details of hot gas expanding rapidly from an energetic star-forming region in our Galactic disk out into our Galaxy's halo . The combined power of at least hundreds of supernovae is needed to drive this tremendous expansion . The resulting 1000 light-year mushroom cloud dwarfs any Earth-borne nuclear explosion , but is small compared to the 60,000 light-year diameter of our Milky Way's disk . The mushroom cloud is one of many similar plumes , and provides important clues to the origin and nature of the Milky Way 's mysterious hot gas halo .
Media Credits & Attribution
Credit & Copyright: Jayanne English (STScI) et al., CGPS/RCPG, DRAO