Articles tagged with Supernovae
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers detected a massive star's supernova in 2007, which appeared as a hot dust cloud instead of the typical explosion. The astronomers suspect this was more common early in the universe and may be related to the brightest star system in our galaxy.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed 3D computer simulations of supernovae explosions, providing new insights into the universe. The simulations match massive blow-outs observed by astronomers and may lead to a better understanding of the physics involved.
Astronomers measure velocity and composition of 'star guts' from nearby supernova Supernova 1987A using Hubble Space Telescope observations. The study reveals the deposition of energy and heavy elements into the host galaxy, including elements necessary for life on Earth.
Charles Steidel receives the 2010 Cosmology Prize for his revolutionary studies of distant galaxies, opening a direct observational window to the universe's early age. His work has allowed us to witness the dramatic transformation galaxies undergo throughout their lives.
The discovery of SN2005E reveals a supernova whose origin cannot be explained by any previously known mechanism. It is rich in helium and surprisingly different from typical white dwarf systems.
Scientists have found a supernova explosion that exhibits characteristics of a gamma-ray burst but lacks gamma rays. The discovery using the National Science Foundation's Very Large Array radio telescope promises to aid in locating more examples of these mysterious events.