Dead star shines on
Astronomers have discovered a pulsating, dead star beaming with the energy of about 10 million suns. Pulsars are dense stellar remnants leftover from supernovas, and this one is the brightest ever recorded.
Supernovae
Articles tagged with Supernovae
Simulations reveal an unusual death for ancient stars
Researchers used simulations to study primordial supermassive stars that may have exploded as supernovae, leaving no black hole behind. This process could create a distinct observational signature detectable by upcoming telescopes and enrich their host galaxy with heavy elements.
Most metal-poor star hints at universe's first supernovae
Researchers found a star with extremely low iron content, which could be evidence of the universe's first supernovae. The star's unusual chemical composition supports the theory that massive stars formed in the early universe and exploded as supernovae.
Lurking bright blue star caught!
A team of astronomers led by Gastón Folatelli at the Kavli IPMU, University of Tokyo, has found evidence of a hot binary companion star to a yellow supergiant star, which had become a bright supernova. The discovery provides the last link in a chain of observations supporting the team's theoretical picture for this supernova.
White dwarfs crashing into neutron stars explain loneliest supernovae
Researchers at the University of Warwick found that white dwarf stars crashing into neutron stars could be responsible for the loneliest supernovae. The team used observations from the Very Large Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope to rule out other explanations, such as binary systems or massive stars.
SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 7, 2014
Cosmic grains of dust formed in supernova explosion
A team of researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute and Aarhus University discovered that cosmic dust grains can form through shock interaction during a supernova explosion. The grains can grow to sizes large enough to survive the violent shockwaves, providing insight into their origin.
Study of cosmic explosions aims to further our understanding of dark energy
Researchers are using rare cosmic explosions called supernovae to measure dark energy, aiming to gain insights into its composition and impact on the universe. By studying these events, scientists hope to refine their understanding of this enigmatic force and its role in shaping the cosmos.
Supernova caught in the act by palomar transient factory
The Palomar Transient Factory successfully observed a supernova exploding in real-time, providing unique spectral features that suggest its progenitor was a nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star. This discovery will aid in understanding massive star evolution and identifying potential supernova precursors.
Confirmed: Stellar behemoth self-destructs in a Type IIb supernova
For the first time, scientists have direct confirmation that a Wolf-Rayet star died in a violent explosion known as a Type IIb supernova. The discovery was made using the iPTF pipeline, which caught the supernova within hours of its explosion and triggered ground- and space-based telescopes to observe the event.
New technique reveals supernova progenitor
A team of astronomers has identified a Wolf-Rayet star as the probable progenitor of a recently exploded supernova using flash spectroscopy. This technique allows for rapid identification of pre-explosion stars at greater distances than previously possible.
New view of supernova death throes
A new three-dimensional model of supernova collapse reveals the role of turbulent mixing in expanding, contracting and ejecting elements before explosion. This breakthrough insight into the death throes of stars sheds light on the formation of elements necessary for life on Earth.
NuSTAR helps untangle how stars explode
A team of astrophysicists has created the first-ever map of radioactive material in a supernova remnant using NuSTAR. The findings suggest that massive dying stars likely rip apart with distorted shock waves, ending their lives.
Supernova's super dust factory imaged with ALMA
Astronomers have captured the remains of a recent supernova brimming with freshly formed dust, which could explain how many galaxies acquired their dusty appearance. The ALMA telescope's unprecedented resolution and sensitivity revealed a large dust mass concentrated in the central part of the ejecta.
ALMA spots supernova dust factory
Astronomers have observed a recently formed dust factory in the remnant of Supernova 1987A using ALMA. The findings suggest that significant amounts of dust are being created by supernovae explosions, which could explain the dusty appearance of many galaxies in the early Universe.
A blast from its past dates the youngest neutron-star binary
Astronomers have discovered the youngest known neutron-star binary, Circinus X-1, which is approximately 4,600 years old. The team used data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to determine the age of this record-breaking pair, revealing a unique opportunity to study matter under extreme conditions.
IceCube detects first high-energy neutrinos from the cosmos
Scientists have observed solid evidence for high-energy neutrinos coming from cosmic accelerators beyond our solar system. The IceCube detector captured 28 neutrinos with energies greater than 30 TeV, including two above 1,000 TeV, hinting at the birth of neutrino astronomy.
Astronomers reveal mystery of brightest ever gamma-ray burst
Researchers from the University of Leicester used satellite and observatory data to explain an unusually bright Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) observed in April 2013. The event was found to be caused by an extremely powerful stellar explosion producing a jet of matter moving at nearly the speed of light.
New survey tools unveil 2 celestial explosions
Researchers have linked a new stripped-envelope supernova, named iPTF13bvn, to its star of origin using novel astronomical survey software. The team also pinpointed the first afterglow of a gamma-ray burst that was found by the Fermi satellite.
Sky survey captures key details of cosmic explosions
Researchers at Caltech's intermediate Palomar Transient Factory have detected a rare type of supernova in a nearby galaxy, providing evidence for the theory that it originated from a Wolf-Rayet star. Additionally, they found the afterglow of a gamma-ray burst, precisely locating its position using optical telescopes alone.
Messier 61 looks straight into Hubble's camera
Messier 61 is a massive spiral galaxy with a diameter of 100,000 light-years, located 55 million light-years from Earth. The galaxy features six supernovae, making it one of the top galaxies for supernova observations.
NASA's Fermi, Swift see 'shockingly bright' burst
Astronomers detected a record-breaking gamma-ray burst from a dying star in a distant galaxy, producing the highest-energy light ever recorded. The GRB, GRB 130427A, lasted for hours and was detectable by multiple telescopes on the ground and space-based observations.
Hubble sees the remains of a star gone supernova
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has observed the remains of a star that exploded as a supernova around 600 years ago. The wispy gas structure, known as SNR B0519-69.0, is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud and features a striking blood-red color.
Grains of sand from ancient supernova found in meteorites
Researchers found two tiny silica grains in primitive meteorites, with unusual isotopic signatures suggesting they originated from a single core-collapse supernova. This discovery provides clues to the complex nuclear and convective processes operating within stars, shedding new light on stellar evolution and the solar system's formation.
NASA's Swift, Chandra explore a youthful 'star wreck'
Astronomers have discovered a young supernova remnant, G306.3.9, located in the central regions of the Milky Way galaxy, estimated to be around 2,500 years old. The Swift and Chandra X-ray satellites detected the object, which is one of the 20 youngest known remnants identified.
White dwarf supernovae are discovered in Virgo Cluster galaxy and in sky area 'anonymous'
Astronomers detect two Type 1a supernovae, designated Supernova 2013X and Supernova 2012ha, which provide valuable information for measuring cosmic distances. The explosions occurred hundreds of millions of years ago and have traveled to Earth, offering insights into the expansion of the universe.
Clues to the mysterious origin of cosmic rays
A team of astronomers used the VIMOS instrument on the VLT to study a one-thousand-year-old supernova remnant. They found evidence of rapidly moving protons in the gas, which could be the necessary seed particles for cosmic rays to form.
Proof: Cosmic rays come from exploding stars
A new study confirms that cosmic rays are born in the violent aftermath of supernovas, exploding stars throughout the galaxy. Protons make up 90% of these particles, which are accelerated by shock waves and then decay into gamma-ray photons with distinctive signatures.
Red explosions: The secret life of binary stars is revealed
Researchers have discovered a way to identify and explain the luminosity generated during common envelope events involving binary stars. The events result in bright red outbursts, similar to recently discovered Luminous Red Novae. Natalia Ivanova's analysis provided new insights into these celestial phenomena.
Massive outburst in neighbor galaxy surprises astronomers
Astronomers discovered a massive outburst in NGC 660, a spiral galaxy 44 million light-years away. The outburst was ten times brighter than the largest supernova and is likely caused by material pulled into a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy.
Exploding star missing from formation of solar system
Researchers found iron 60, a radioactive sign of an exploding star, in low abundance and uniformly distributed in solar system material. The findings suggest the low levels of iron 60 likely came from long-term accumulation of iron 60 in interstellar medium rather than a nearby cataclysmic event.
Super-rare, super-luminous supernovae are likely explosion of universe's earliest stars
Researchers find two super-luminous supernovae at high redshifts, consistent with pair-instability supernova mechanism. The explosions are thought to have occurred in massive stars that formed in the early universe.
Record-breaking stellar explosion helps understand far-off galaxy
Researchers used a dying star's light to probe the gas conditions in a distant galaxy, revealing 'reassuringly normal' interstellar conditions. The study also provided insights into the formation of galaxies like our Milky Way.
Supernovae of the same brightness, cut from vastly different cosmic cloth
Astronomers collected evidence indicating that the progenitor system of a Type 1a supernova contains a red giant star. The discovery provides an explanation for why these events vary slightly from galaxy to galaxy, refining the accuracy of cosmic measurements.
Halo of neutrinos alters physics of exploding stars
Research models stellar explosions revealing neutrinos' previously unrecognized impact on supernovae's core and outer envelope. The study shows that neutrino interactions with halo neutrinos significantly alter the explosion's physics, changing element formation.
Fingering the culprit that polluted the Solar System
New 3D models reveal that a supernova explosion likely triggered the formation of our Solar System, injecting polluted material into a cloud of dust and gas. The models show that only one or two fingers from the shock wave could have caused the pollution found in primitive meteorites.
The brightest stars don't live alone
A study using the VLT found that 75% of O-type stars are in binary systems, with a higher proportion of interacting pairs than previously thought. This discovery has profound implications for galaxy evolution, as these heavyweights play a key role in shaping galaxies through violent phenomena such as stellar mergers and gamma-ray bursts.
A supernova cocoon breakthrough
Researchers observed a supernova's X-ray emission breaking through a cocoon of dense gas surrounding the star. The data support the idea that some supernovas are powered by blast waves interacting with surrounding material. Additionally, the discovery hints at an unrelated ultraluminous X-ray source nearby.
Black hole caught red-handed in stellar homicide
A team of astronomers led by Suvi Gezari has identified a star rich in helium gas that was ripped apart by the gravitational forces of a supermassive black hole. The star's remains were seen falling into the black hole, while the rest was ejected at high speeds, providing insights into the harsh environment around black holes.
Astronomers get rare peek at early stage of star formation
Researchers used radio and infrared telescopes to study a giant cloud about 770 light-years from Earth, discovering a 'pristine' clump of gas that may be on the verge of forming dense cores. The observations reveal previously unseen substructures within the clump that could lead to the formation of ten new stars.
Rare Earth element found far, far away
A team of researchers from MIT has detected tellurium, a rare Earth element, for the first time in three ancient stars. The finding supports the theory that tellurium and other heavy elements likely originated from a rare type of supernova during nuclear fusion.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 21, 2012
Fear no supernova
Supernovas release enormous amounts of energy, but are too far away to harm Earth's ozone layer. Gamma-ray bursts could pose a threat if directed towards our planet, but estimates suggest it's unlikely to occur in the near future.
A supernova with a view
The study of the closest supernova in 25 years has shed new light on its formation. The team found that the exploding star was a white dwarf, and while they couldn't rule out a white dwarf merger, their results suggest a medium-sized star supplied the white dwarf with extra material to trigger the explosion.
NASA's Fermi shows that Tycho's star shines in gamma rays
Scientists use NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope to detect high-energy gamma rays from the remnant of Tycho's supernova. This detection supports the notion that supernova remnants can accelerate cosmic rays, providing clues to their origins.
$1.38 million to pick 'large' pieces of supernova grit out of meteorite
Researchers will use a three-year, $1.38 million grant to study presolar grains in a sample of the Murchison meteorite. They aim to extract exceptionally large grains that came from supernovae, allowing them to make more comprehensive measurements and understand how elements were forged.
In a star's final days, astronomers hunt 'signal of impending doom'
Researchers studying a binary star system in the Whirlpool Galaxy have detected a star dimming noticeably before its companion exploded in a supernova. The study provides evidence that certain patterns of brightening and dimming may signal an impending doom for stars, making it possible to predict when a star is near death.
NASA's Swift finds a gamma-ray burst with a dual personality
Astronomers propose two exotic scenarios for the unusual cosmic explosion: a novel supernova billions of light-years away or an unusual collision within our own galaxy. The 'Christmas burst' was caused by either event, with observations suggesting a neutron star and rapid tightening of its orbit.
Recent advance in detonation theory
Researchers Hu et al. developed a new detonation model named the least-action detonation model (LADM) that takes into account complex movement and transport effects, differing from the classical ZND model. The LADM model predicts detonation product particles to be in a stationary state, which has been observed in experiments.
Ancient stars shed light on the prehistory of the Milky Way
Researchers have discovered that ancient stars in the Milky Way's halo contain abnormally large amounts of heavy elements like gold and uranium. By analyzing the motions of these stars, they found evidence suggesting that exploding supernovae may have sent jets of enriched gas into space, creating the heavy-element rich stars.
Discovery of 2 types of neutron stars points to 2 different classes of supernovae
Astronomers found two distinct populations of neutron stars, suggesting different supernova channels. The findings shed light on stellar evolution and open new research areas.
Saul Perlmutter receives Nobel Prize in physics
Saul Perlmutter, along with Brian Schmidt and Adam Riess, discovered the accelerating expansion of the universe through distant supernovae observations. This discovery implies the existence of dark energy, a mysterious force opposing gravity and increasing galaxy distances.
Most ancient supernovas are discovered
A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University has uncovered a record-breaking number of ancient supernovas in the Subaru Deep Field. These explosions are believed to be a major source of iron in the universe, including the Earth's core and blood.
SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 5, 2011
Secretary Chu congratulates DOE supported researcher on 2011 Nobel Prize in physics
Saul Perlmutter, a physicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, won the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics with colleagues Brian Schmidt and Adam Riess. Their groundbreaking work discovered the accelerating expansion of the universe through observations of distant supernovae.
Evolved stars locked in fatalistic dance
Scientists have discovered a pair of white dwarfs that are spiraling into each other at breakneck speeds, allowing them to test Einstein's theory of general relativity. The merger could also shed light on the origin of underluminous supernovae.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 13, 2011
Herschel finds source of cosmic dust in a stellar explosion
Astronomers detect cosmic dust from a supernovae using Herschel Space Observatory, confirming the theory that these explosions create dust. The study reveals a large amount of cold dust formed during the explosion, which could explain the origin of dust in galaxies.
Caltech-led astronomers find a new class of stellar explosions
A team of astronomers led by Caltech has discovered a new type of supernovae that was previously unknown. The four newly found supernovae have similar spectral signatures, indicating they are all part of the same class. This discovery provides insight into star formation, distant galaxies, and the early universe.
Nearby supernova factory ramps up
Astronomers have discovered a local supernova factory in the Carina Nebula, which may help understand how young stars release newly-forged elements into their surroundings. The Chandra X-ray Observatory detected over 14,000 stars, six possible neutron stars, and a new population of young massive stars.
2 dying stars reborn as 1
Astronomers have discovered a binary system consisting of two white dwarfs orbiting each other every 39 minutes. The stars are expected to collide and merge in 37 million years, resulting in the formation of a single star. This discovery marks the first time such an event has been observed.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 6, 2011
Chandra images torrent of star formation
M82's rapid star formation is believed to have been triggered by a close encounter with neighboring galaxy M81. The Chandra image reveals a unique opportunity to study conditions similar to those of the early universe and the consequences of supernovas in starburst galaxies.
University of Toronto physicists create supernova in a jar
Physicists at the University of Toronto and Rutgers University have successfully recreated a supernova explosion in a laboratory setting. The experiment, led by Michael Rogers, involved triggering a chemical reaction that generated a miniaturized version of the explosive process seen in stars.
First compelling evidence for a black hole after recent supernova
Researchers found compelling evidence for the birth of a stellar mass black hole in the type IIL supernova SN 1979C. The study proposes that the late time glow of the supernova is consistent with a black hole accreting material from either a fallback disk or a binary companion.