Articles tagged with Supernovae
Astronomers have uncovered a rare binary star system that has the right conditions to trigger a kilonova, an ultra-powerful explosion created by colliding neutron stars. The system, CPD-29 2176, is one of only about 10 such systems thought to exist in the Milky Way Galaxy.
Researchers have discovered that primitive meteorites contain a different mix of potassium isotopes than those found in other, more-chemically processed meteorites. This suggests that the Solar System was formed from a 'poorly mixed cake batter' of materials, with some planets receiving a unique blend of elements from distant sources.
Researchers have discovered a supernova with strong features of oxygen and magnesium, suggesting the explosion could be crashing into circumstellar matter formed around 1,000 days prior to the event. This finding provides new insights into the later stages of massive star life and creates challenges for current theories on star evolution.
A recent gamma-ray burst has been identified as a kilonova, shedding light on the merging of neutron stars and black holes. The event produced an excess of infrared light and lasted about a minute, contradicting the typical short duration of such explosions.
A recent astronomical observation supports theoretical modeling, revealing a new observational fingerprint of neutron-star mergers that may shed light on the production of heavy elements throughout the universe. The detection pushes our understanding of gamma-ray bursts to the limits and breaks the standard idea of these events.
Researchers discovered a long-duration gamma-ray burst that defied prevailing theories, leading to the proposal of a new model for its origin. The unusual burst was found to have characteristics similar to those of short-duration bursts, challenging current understanding of gamma-ray burst formation.
Two independent teams of astronomers detected the unexpected hallmarks of a kilonova after a long gamma-ray burst, challenging the prevailing theory that long GRBs exclusively come from supernovae. The discovery was made possible by the proximity of the event and the sensitivity of telescopes like Gemini North.
A team of researchers used images from the Hubble Space Telescope to determine the age and composition of a distant supernova. The study suggests that the heavier atomic elements necessary for life were created inside stars and released during supernovae explosions.
Researchers have measured the size of a star dating back 2 billion years after the Big Bang, gaining insight into the stars and galaxies of the early Universe. The study used detailed images of a red supergiant supernova to reconstruct its cooling process, shedding light on how massive stars formed in galaxies during this period.
Researchers have developed a new model that combines nuclear physics and string theory to describe the transition to dense and hot quark matter in neutron star collisions. The model allows for the calculation of gravitational-wave signals, showing that both hot and cold quark matter can be produced.
Astronomers using the VLA discovered that fast-moving cosmic ray electrons drive winds in the neighboring galaxy M33, slowing down new star formation. This finding challenges previous theories, suggesting cosmic rays are a more general cause of galactic winds.
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.
A new study has created the first map of the Milky Way's ancient dead stars, which reveals a 'galactic underworld' stretching three times the height of the galaxy. The map shows that almost a third of objects have been flung out from the galaxy, with neutron stars and black holes formed when massive stars collapse.
Scientists have discovered the remnant material of an ancient star's explosion using innovative analysis of a quasar. The study suggests a 300-solar-mass first-generation star died in a 'super-supernova' explosion, leaving behind a distinctive blend of heavy elements.
Scientists have found evidence for a young and extremely powerful neutron star, dubbed VT 1137-0337, in a dwarf galaxy 395 million light-years from Earth. The pulsar is thought to be as young as 14 years old and has the strongest magnetic field of any known object.
Researchers have found that stars in distant galaxies are typically more massive than those in the Milky Way, changing our understanding of astronomical phenomena like black holes, supernovae, and galaxy death. This discovery may also explain why galaxies die and stop forming new stars.
A new study suggests that the Hypatia Stone, discovered in Egypt, may be the first tangible evidence on Earth of a supernova type Ia explosion. The stone's unique chemistry and elemental composition contradict conventional views of solar system formation, potentially revealing a long-hidden secret about our cosmic neighborhood.
Researchers used computer modeling to simulate the long-term evolution of a hypothesized type of supernova, known as D6. The study found that remnants of type Ia explosions are not necessarily symmetric, offering new insights into supernova physics. This finding has significant implications for using Ia supernovae as cosmic yardsticks.
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered a surviving companion star to SN 2013ge, providing crucial insight into the binary nature of massive stars. The finding sheds light on the puzzle of hydrogen loss pre-supernova and supports the theory that most massive stars are paired.
The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission enables new measurements of cosmic X-ray sources, such as pulsars, black holes, and neutron stars. With its state-of-the-art telescopes and detectors, IXPE will provide high-quality polarization data of various sources, including supernova remnants, active galaxies, and blazars.
Basudeb Dasgupta's study shows that collective oscillations can occur only if the spectra of two neutrino flavors cross over at some energy or emission angle. This result guarantees that observation of neutrino oscillation instabilities will reveal new information from deep within the star.
Researchers at Lund University mapped Ytterbium's origin to supernova explosions, revealing new opportunities for studying galaxy evolution. The study provides insight into the element's dual cosmic origins from heavy and regular stars.
Researchers have discovered a source of fast radio bursts in the vicinity of galaxy M81, adding to the ongoing mystery surrounding these enigmatic events. The findings suggest that magnetars, highly magnetized neutron stars, may be responsible for generating FRBs, but further study is needed to fully understand this phenomenon.
Two recent studies explain the origin of Fast Blue Optical Transients (FBOTs), such as AT 2018cow and SN 2018gep. The research teams propose that pulsational pair-instability of massive stars may cause variation among FBOTs, leading to a range of supernova luminosities.
Astronomers reconstruct evolutionary history of galactic neighborhood, showing a chain of events led to the creation of a vast bubble that's responsible for forming all nearby, young stars. The Local Bubble is home to seven well-known star-forming regions and continues to slowly grow.
A recent study by Dr. Henrik Svensmark and colleagues reveals a close connection between supernovae occurrence and the burial of organic matter in sediments on Earth. The correlation indicates that supernovae are essential for life's existence, with high nutrient concentrations leading to increased bioproductivity and oxygen production.
A new study reveals how supernovae explosions of massive stars can form heavy neutron star binaries, resolving a puzzle from gravitational wave observatories LIGO and Virgo. The team's results show that the explosion energy determines whether a stripped star forms a neutron star or black hole.
Researchers at PPPL demonstrate production of high-density QED cascades, a process important for black holes, supernovas, and cosmic events. The breakthrough uses current laboratory capabilities, such as lasers and relativistic beams, to access and observe the regime.
Astronomers have discovered a gigantic cavity in space that sheds new light on how stars form. The sphere-shaped void, spanning nearly 500 light years, is believed to have been formed by ancient supernovae 10 million years ago.
HKU astrophysicists identify historical supernova of AD 1181 with recent discovery of 'Parker's star' and its surrounding nebula Pa30. The team found the event matches ancient Chinese reports within 3.5 degrees, providing a firm historical basis for the rare Type Iax designation.
Researchers have solved the 900-year-old mystery of the Chinese supernova of 1181AD by identifying a matching nebula and star in the Milky Way. The Pa30 nebula, surrounding Parker's Star, matches the profile, location, and age of the historic supernova.
Astronomers predict a supernova, dubbed Supernova Requiem, will reappear in the sky around 2037. The rebroadcast is expected to be visible through advanced telescopes, providing an opportunity for scientists to study its behavior.
Physicist Eve Armstrong aims to understand the origins of elements heavier than iron using weather prediction technique data assimilation. With a two-year NSF EAGER grant, she and her team will predict whether supernova stardust gave rise to these heavy elements.
Astronomers have discovered a 0.6-second gamma-ray burst caused by the implosion of a massive star, revealing that some short GRBs might be imposters in disguise. The discovery suggests that most collapsing stars fail to produce a GRB jet, making this event an effective fizzle.
Cosmic rays play a critical role in the final stages of supernovae explosions, allowing for a bigger impact on surrounding interstellar gas. The study suggests that these particles can give an extra push to the gas, increasing momentum by up to 4-6 times.
The discovery of plutonium-244 and iron-60 in ocean crust suggests violent cosmic events occurred near Earth millions of years ago. The study's findings imply that supernovae can produce these heavy elements, complicating our understanding of their origins.
Researchers create an experimental configuration to produce controlled detonations, producing supersonic waves and high-pressure triple points. The setup enables stable and unstable detonation waves, paving the way for ultra-high-speed propulsion systems.
A recent study published in Nature Astronomy has found evidence for three-dimensional (3D) spin-velocity alignment in pulsars. The research, conducted using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), reveals new insights into the origins of these rapidly rotating neutron stars.
Astronomers have discovered a mysterious yellow star that exploded without the typical hydrogen layer, revealing new insights into the violent death throes of massive stars. The discovery challenges current understanding of stellar evolution and suggests that these stars may undergo catastrophic eruptions before exploding.
Researchers used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to examine the massive star two-and-a-half years before its explosion. The team found that the star lacked its typical hydrogen layer, making it unusually cool before exploding into a supernova.
Astronomers have found powerful evidence for a neutrino-driven explosion in the remains of a supernova called Cassiopeia A (Cas A). The discovery was made using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and suggests that titanium bubbles play a crucial role in driving the shock wave forward to trigger the supernova explosion.
Research suggests star clusters like Cygnus Cocoon can accelerate particles to petaelectronvolts, defying supernova theory. Theoretical models propose proton acceleration and search for lower-energy counterpart emission using NASA telescopes.
Physicists at MIT searched for axions in Betelgeuse, a nearby star expected to burn out soon, but found no signs of the hypothetical dark matter particles. The null result sets new constraints on axion properties, making it harder to detect them through X-ray signals.
Researchers used Hubble's imagery to wind back the clock on a supernova remnant, pinpointing its age and centre. The study found that light from the blast arrived at Earth 1700 years ago, during the decline of the Roman Empire.
Astronomers have traced the speedy shrapnel from a nearby supernova blast to calculate its location and time, yielding an estimated explosion age of 1,700 years ago. The researchers used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and analyzed visible-light observations made 10 years apart.
New research from Northwestern University has found that including all three flavors of neutrinos in a study provides deeper knowledge of dying stars and unravels existing hypotheses. The study reveals that ignoring any flavor can lead to incomplete results, emphasizing the importance of complexity in models.
A new machine learning algorithm has classified over 2,300 supernovae with an accuracy rate of 82%, using real data from the Pan-STARRS1 Medium Deep Survey. The classifier was trained on a subset of supernovae with spectra and then applied to the remaining data, achieving high accuracy rates.
Researchers developed SuperNova2, an enhanced version of phototoxic protein SuperNova, for localized oxidative stress and molecular biology tasks. The new protein displays high speed and completeness of maturation, making it suitable for various applications.
A team of scientists from Michigan State University discovered that supernovae can forge carbon atoms over 10 times faster than previously thought. This finding challenges existing theories about the creation of Earth's heavy elements, particularly ruthenium and molybdenum isotopes.
Researchers found evidence suggesting that relatively close supernovas could have triggered four disruptions to Earth's climate over the last 40,000 years. The study used tree ring records to search for fingerprints of distant cosmic explosions, with promising candidates including a 13,000-year-old Vela supernova.
Researchers from the University of Michigan found that the vast majority of field massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud are 'runaways,' or stars ejected from clusters. They discovered that these stars could have formed in isolation or were dynamically ejected due to unstable orbital configurations.
Hubble observed SN 2018gv in February 2018 to precisely measure the universe's expansion rate. The supernova serves as a 'milepost marker' to calculate galaxy distances and fundamental values needed for measuring space expansion.
Researchers have confirmed the existence of a supernova that exploded near Earth 2.5 million years ago, producing iron-60 and manganese-53. The discovery was made using ultra-trace analysis, which detected the presence of these elements in ancient sediment layers.
Researchers found clear traces of iron-60 in deep-sea sediments dating back 33,000 years, suggesting the Earth has been traveling through a cloud of faintly radioactive dust. The discovery suggests that the solar system may have recently passed through a denser cloud of gas and dust, known as the local interstellar cloud.
Scientists detected high levels of the radioactive isotope 60Fe in deep-sea sediment samples, indicating exposure to supernova ejecta. The findings suggest that supernova-produced 60Fe permeates the interstellar medium and has been deposited on Earth over the past 33,000 years.
A team of researchers from the University of Kansas blames a series of supernovae explosions for triggering the end-Devonian extinction event. The ionizing radiation caused internal damage in large animals and organisms, leading to mass extinctions of armored fish and trilobites.
A new study led by University of Illinois astronomer Brian Fields explores the possibility that astronomical events were responsible for an extinction event 359 million years ago. Researchers found evidence suggesting long-lasting ozone-depletion, which could be caused by killer cosmic rays from nearby supernovae.
Researchers discovered that the unexpected dimming of supergiant star Betelgeuse was most likely caused by an immense amount of hot material ejected into space, forming a dust cloud that blocked light from about a quarter of the star's surface. The resulting dust cloud led to the star returning to normal brightness in April 2020.
A Northwestern University-led team has uncovered the true nature of rare, mysterious events called calcium-rich supernovae. The researchers used X-ray imaging to study a calcium-rich supernova and found that it is a compact star shedding an outer layer of gas before exploding, producing bright X-rays and massive amounts of calcium.
A Northwestern University-led team examined a calcium-rich supernova dubbed SN 2019ehk with X-ray imaging, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the star during its final month of life and ultimate explosion. The study revealed that the event is a compact star shedding an outer layer of gas before exploding, producing bright X-rays.