Articles tagged with Stellar Explosions
A team of international researchers led by a UC Santa Barbara graduate student has confirmed a long-standing theory of stellar death by applying the principles of general relativity to a superluminous supernova. The discovery suggests that a magnetar, a rapidly spinning neutron star with a massive magnetic field, powers the supernova, ...
Researchers discovered a star in the Andromeda Galaxy that vanished without going supernova, instead collapsing directly into a black hole. The team's analysis revealed the process of stellar collapse and provided evidence for convection's role in shaping a black hole's outer layers.
Scientists have discovered a rare superkilonova event, which may have produced gravitational waves and light, as detected by LIGO and Virgo. The candidate kilonova AT2025ulz showed signs of a supernova before fading and brightening again in red wavelengths.
Researchers led by Texas Tech University's Elias Aydi used cutting-edge interferometry to directly image two stellar explosions, also known as novae. The study reveals multiple outflows of material and in some cases, dramatic delays in the ejection process, challenging long-held views on these cosmic blasts.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University used X-ray spectroscopy to measure the amount of chlorine and potassium inside a supernova remnant, revealing that these elements were created in intense environments deep inside stars. The study suggests that strong mixing inside massive stars can enhance the production of these elements.
Astronomers have observed the unique shape of a supernova explosion in unprecedented detail using ESO's VLT. The shape, resembling an olive, was revealed through spectropolarimetry, which allows for the measurement of polarisation and inference of object geometry.
A Northwestern University-led team of astronomers used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to capture the most detailed glimpse yet of a doomed star before it exploded. The study reveals that massive red supergiants rarely explode due to thick clouds of dust, but JWST's new capabilities can pierce through the dust to spot these phenomena.
A team of researchers developed an AI-powered tool, called the Virtual Research Assistant (VRA), to filter through thousands of data alerts and identify genuine signals caused by supernovae. The VRA successfully filtered over 30,000 alerts while missing fewer than 0.08% of real supernovae alerts.
A new type of supernova has been discovered, offering a rare glimpse into the depths of massive stars. The star, dubbed SN2021yfj, had lost its outer layers while still 'alive,' revealing a previously unknown inner layered structure and exposing hidden sites where heavy chemical elements are formed.
Astronomers discover stripped-down supernova with unusual chemical signature, providing evidence for the layered structure of stellar giants and unprecedented glimpse into a massive star's interior. The study reveals that stars can lose extensive material before exploding, challenging current theories on stellar evolution.
Astronomers have developed a protocol to detect supernovae within 24 hours of their explosion, using high-cadence sky surveys. The method involves rapid searches for candidates based on light signal absence and galaxy location, followed by spectroscopic observations to determine the type of supernova.
Roman will scan a large region of the cosmos every five days for two years, detecting around 27,000 type Ia supernovae and 60,000 core-collapse supernovae. These observations will help scientists understand dark energy, the universe's expansion, and fill gaps in our understanding of cosmic history.
A team of astronomers found that fast X-ray transients are associated with the explosive death of massive stars, including supernovae. The International Gemini Observatory and SOAR telescope observed the event, providing insight into its mechanisms.
Researchers have found visual evidence of a double detonation process in the remains of a star that exploded twice, providing new insights into the mechanism behind Type Ia supernovae. This discovery confirms a long-standing hypothesis and offers a tangible explanation for these cosmic events.
Astronomers detect first-ever evidence of a 'planet with a death wish' as HIP 67522 b orbits extremely close to its host star, triggering flares that erode the planet's atmosphere. The radiation is so intense it causes the planet to shrink and lose mass at an alarming rate.
Astronomers have discovered the most energetic cosmic explosions yet discovered, named 'extreme nuclear transients' (ENTs), which occur when massive stars are torn apart after wandering too close to a supermassive black hole. ENTs release vast amounts of energy visible across enormous distances and remain luminous for years.
Research suggests that massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud are being pulled apart by the Large Magellanic Cloud. The discovery reveals a new pattern in stellar motion, which could transform our understanding of galaxy evolution and interactions.
Warwick astronomers have discovered the first double white dwarf binary system, which will explode as a type 1a supernova in 23 billion years. The system is located 150 light-years away and consists of two compact white dwarfs with a combined mass of 1.56 times that of the Sun.
Researchers found a remarkable X-ray flash in archived Chandra Observatory data, hinting at possible explanations: X-ray burst, magnetar flare, or new cosmic event. The discovery showcases the potential of AI for scientific breakthroughs in astronomical archives.
Astronomers at MIT used a novel technique to determine the precise location of a fast radio burst, finding it likely originated from the magnetosphere around a rotating neutron star. The study provides conclusive evidence that fast radio bursts can emerge from this highly magnetic environment.
A recent study reveals that fast radio bursts are more commonly associated with massive and metal-rich star-forming galaxies. This suggests that magnetars, the thought-to-be-triggers of FRBs, likely form in environments conducive to stellar mergers. The discovery was made using Caltech's Deep Synoptic Array-110 project.
Researchers from DTU have discovered a neutron star that rotates at an astonishing 716 times per second, making it one of the fastest-spinning objects ever observed. The neutron star is part of an X-ray binary star system and is located in the Sagittarius constellation.
Astronomers have studied the last unexplained historical supernova from 1181 AD, known as SN 1181, in detail. The team discovered a 'zombie star' at its center and dandelion-shaped filaments emanating from it.
Astronomers have recorded hundreds of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in a massive global effort that rivals the 250-year-old Messier catalogue. The collection includes 64,813 photometric observations and showcases collaborative research across nations.
Simulations predict that the violent deaths of rapidly rotating stars can create detectable gravitational waves, which could aid understanding of collapsars and black holes. The signals from these events are strong enough to be picked up by LIGO and may already exist in datasets.
Researchers recreated the structure of supernova remnant SN 1181 using a new computer model, explaining its double shock formation. The study also found that high-speed stellar winds may have started blowing from its surface within the past 20-30 years.
Astronomers have detected a neutron star spinning at an unprecedentedly slow rate, defying the typical mind-bending speeds of these ultra-dense stars. The object emits radio signals every 54 minutes, offering new insights into its complex life cycle and potential implications for our understanding of stellar objects.
Scientists propose a new nucleosynthesis process, νr-process, which operates when neutron-rich material is exposed to high neutrino flux. This process can produce rare isotopes present in the solar system, including p-nuclei, previously poorly understood.
An international team of researchers, including those from the University of Geneva, detected a giant magnetar eruption coming from a neutron star with an exceptionally strong magnetic field. The discovery was made using ESA's satellite INTEGRAL and confirms that magnetars are young neutron stars.
Astronomers have produced the first high-resolution map of a massive explosion in a nearby galaxy, revealing a gas outflow that would take 20,000 years to travel across the galaxy. The discovery provides important clues on how space between galaxies is polluted with chemical elements.
The brightest gamma-ray burst (GRB) ever recorded was caused by the collapse of a massive star, according to Northwestern University researchers. Despite extensive searches, no evidence of heavy elements like platinum and gold was found.
Astronomers have found a second-generation star in the Large Magellanic Cloud that formed in a different galaxy, offering clues about how elements were enriched in the universe. This discovery provides new hints about the early element-forming process and suggests that conditions may not be the same across all galaxies.
Astronomers confirm that a stellar corpse is the source of repeated energetic flares observed after a distant star's explosive death. The team detected at least 14 irregular light pulses over a 120-day period, likely driven by processes such as rapid rotation or strong magnetic fields.
Researchers have created a three-dimensional computer simulation of the light emitted following a neutron star merger, producing results similar to an observed kilonova. The simulation takes into account various processes and material interactions, enabling predictions for any viewing direction.
A WVU astronomer is searching the Milky Way for debris left behind by supernovas, with $331,170 in NSF funding. He hopes to discover new supernova remnants using radio wavelength data from telescopes and machine-learning software.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new framework for studying neutrino self-interactions using supernovae. They found that in the burst case, unprecedented sensitivity to neutrino self-interactions is possible even with sparse data from SN 1987A and conservative analysis assumptions.
Scientists observe a bright optical emission after the most powerful gamma-ray burst documented, providing detailed data on radiation across various wavebands. The study reveals that luminous phenomenon arises from high-energy charged particles in a rarefied medium with a powerful magnetic field.
Astrophysicists explain the Brightest of All Time (BOAT) cosmic explosion, revealing a narrow jet embedded within a wider gas outflow. The GRB's uniqueness was due to mixing between stellar material and the jet, masking characteristic signatures.
Astronomers from Stockholm University detected the first radio emission of a Type Ia supernova, providing evidence for helium-rich circumstellar material. The discovery sheds light on the origins of these explosions and their role in measuring the expansion of the Universe.
The Swift Observatory team, led by Maia Williams, detected the brightest gamma-ray burst ever recorded, GRB 221009A. The burst was incredibly bright and had an afterglow that was more than 10 times brighter than any previous observation.
A recent study has found that kilonovae explosions are shaped like perfect spheres, contradicting previous assumptions. The discovery may provide a new method for measuring the Universe's age, complementing existing methods and offering greater precision in distance measurements.
Researchers found that kilonovae, caused by neutron star collisions, produce spherical explosions with symmetrical shapes. The discovery may provide a new key to fundamental physics and measuring the Universe's age.
A team of astrophysicists has successfully measured a gamma-ray burst's hidden energy by utilizing light polarization. The total explosion energy was found to be about 3.5 times bigger than previous estimates, shedding new light on the progenitor star's masses and the evolutionary history of the universe.
Researchers at UMass Amherst calculated pre-agricultural soil erosion rates in the Midwest, finding them to be 0.04 mm per year, significantly lower than the USDA's current limit of 1 mm per year. Modern agriculture has accelerated erosion rates, threatening topsoil and global food security.
According to new research led by the University of Bath, some short-duration gamma-ray bursts are triggered by the birth of supramassive stars, not black holes. This discovery may offer a new way to locate neutron star mergers and gravitational wave emitters.
Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Montpellier have developed an early warning system for massive star supernovae. These stars will suddenly dim by a factor of 100 in visible light as they accumulate material around them, forming a 'cocoon' that obscures their light.
Astronomers detect massive light burst from 'infant' Universe, revealing properties of cosmic explosions. The GRB was triggered by a space explosion that occurred when the Universe was less than 900 million years old.
Astronomers have used observations from the Hobby-Eberly Telescope to better understand how massive stars live and die. The study of supernova 2014C revealed a unique process where the hydrogen envelopes of two stars merged, forming a common-envelope configuration that shed light on the stellar explosion.
A team of astronomers has discovered micronovae, extremely powerful events that occur on the surface of white dwarfs and can burn through billions of kilograms of material in a few hours. These new stellar explosions challenge our understanding of thermonuclear reactions in stars and may be more abundant than previously thought.
A nearly $2 million NSF grant will accelerate the hunt for low-frequency gravitational waves using high-precision timing observations of exotic stars called millisecond pulsars. WVU's Maura McLaughlin is principal investigator on the project, which aims to discover new types of gravitational waves and expand the IPTA's reach globally.
A new study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society found that superflares on red dwarf stars occur at high latitudes, near the star's poles, which means they are not directed towards orbiting exoplanets. This reduces the danger to planetary atmospheres and habitability.
Researchers have found that dormant small galaxies can slowly accumulate gas over billions of years, allowing for the formation of new stars. The study's findings shed light on the mysterious process of star formation in dwarf galaxies, providing insights into astrophysical processes.
TESS has found 66 new exoplanets, including an Earth-size world in the habitable zone of a star. The satellite has also observed comets, exploding stars, and black holes, contributing to our understanding of astrobiology.
Extreme horizontal branch stars, with four to five times hotter than the Sun, show giant magnetic spots that cause regular brightness variations. These spots are also linked to superflare events, explosions of energy several million times more energetic than similar eruptions on the Sun.
New research by astrophysicists at the University of Kent reveals how matter discarded as stars die is recycled to form new stars and planets. The study found that elements such as carbon and oxygen are transferred through a process of fragmentation, providing vital clues about the emergence of life in our universe.
A team of researchers has discovered a stellar flare ten times more powerful than anything seen on our sun, erupting from an ultracool star almost the same size as Jupiter. The star, ULAS J224940.13-011236.9, is only a tenth of the radius of our own sun and is considered a brown dwarf by some definitions.
Astronomers have discovered a rare gamma-ray binary system, allowing for the study of particle acceleration in a unique environment. The system, consisting of a massive star and a rapidly rotating neutron star, was detected emitting high-energy particles accelerated by its strong magnetic field.
A team of astronomers discovered a massive stellar flare from Proxima Centauri, which raises questions about the habitability of its exoplanetary neighbor, Proxima b. The flare, detected by ALMA, was 10 times brighter than our Sun's largest flares and could have sterilized the surface of Proxima b.
Researchers suggest that massive star explosions can expel newborn black holes with strong natal kicks, affecting their spin and alignment. This phenomenon could help explain years of tentative evidence suggesting black holes receive such kicks.
Astronomers have discovered three young stars that were ejected from an unstable multi-star system, providing new clues to the breakup of such systems. The stars are moving at speeds of up to nearly 30 times faster than most other stars in the same region.