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Cosmic rays hunted down

Washington University physicists are tracking down the source of cosmic rays using imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. The correlation between high cosmic-ray density and supernova rate in a starburst galaxy provides powerful evidence for supernova acceleration, long suspected to be the origin of these particles.

The big blow-up

Researchers discover supernova that fits predictions for a star hundreds of times the sun's mass, revealing new insights into star formation and heavy metal creation. The study also suggests hyper-giant stars may exist beyond 150 suns, challenging our understanding of celestial physics.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateDec 3, 2009

New laser technique may help find supernova

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have created a laser technique that can help identify a rare isotope called 182Hf, which would prove that a supernova once exploded near our solar system. The technique uses negative ions and laser light to detach an extra electron from some elements while leaving others intact.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalPhysical Review A·DateAug 11, 2009

Exploding star in NGC 2397

A team of astronomers from Queen's University Belfast have discovered the nature of five supernova precursor stars using Hubble images. The study reveals that stars with masses as low as seven times the mass of the Sun can explode as supernovae, challenging current understanding of massive star collapse.

Dirty space and supernovae

Researchers at Carnegie Institution find unusual new form of carbon in meteorites, which could affect measurements of the universe's expansion and dark energy models. The discovery may have implications for understanding Type1a supernovae and the accelerating expansion of the universe.

Supernova impostor goes supernova

Astronomers observed a massive star suffering a double whammy, with the star surviving one outburst before exploding as Supernova 2006jc. The study found that the supernova's blast wave interacted with material ejected by the star two years earlier, indicating a unique stellar evolution process.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 4, 2007

The dark side of nature: The crime was almost perfect

Recent gamma-ray bursts suggest a new kind of cosmic explosion involving newly formed black holes swallowing parent star matter. Astronomers observe no supernovae associated with these events, which could be due to massive stars dying without producing explosions.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2006

New type of massive stellar death

Scientists have identified a new type of massive stellar death, where stars may collapse into black holes without exploding in supernova explosions. This discovery was made using data from two long-duration Gamma-ray bursts detected by NASA's Swift satellite.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2006

Twin star explosions fascinate astronomers

Astronomers have observed a rare phenomenon of two supernovas occurring simultaneously in the same galaxy, with implications for our understanding of galaxy mergers. The high frequency of supernovas in NGC 1316 suggests that massive star formation may be driving this activity.

Death of a star

For the first time a star has been observed as it goes supernova – a mind-bogglingly powerful explosion that briefly outshines an entire galaxy. UK scientists used NASA's Swift satellite and a combination of orbiting and ground-based observatories to catch the event in real-time.

Long-lasting but dim brethren of cosmic flashes

Astronomers have linked an X-ray flash to a supernova for the first time, revealing a new class of events with properties distinct from typical gamma-ray bursts. The discovery suggests the existence of dimmer but possibly more numerous cosmic flashes.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateAug 30, 2006

Supernova leaves behind mysterious object

Researchers using ESA's XMM-Newton satellite data have found an object in the heart of a 2,000-year-old supernova remnant that exhibits complex and intriguing properties. The object, called 1E161348-5055, has a cycle that repeats every 6.7 hours, which is tens of thousands of times longer than expected for a young neutron star.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalScience·DateJul 7, 2006

Space is dusty, and now astronomers know why

Scientists have long suspected that massive star supernovae produce dust, but previous technology limitations hindered confirmation. A new study reveals that supernovae are indeed a major contributor to the early universe's dust, enabling rapid star formation and heavy element creation.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalScience·DateJun 8, 2006

Supernova 1987A: Fast forward to the past

Recent Chandra X-ray Observatory observations have given insight into the behavior of the doomed star before it exploded, indicating that the predicted spectacular brightening of the circumstellar ring has begun. The supernova produced a shock wave that rumbled through the cavity, and recent data indicate that this event has started.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 17, 2005

Astronomers tackle 400-year-old heavenly mystery

Using the Spitzer Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory, researchers observed the Kepler's supernova remnant, uncovering a bubble-shaped shroud of gas and dust expanding at 4 million miles per hour. The observations revealed distinct features, including heated interstellar dust and regions of hot gas.

Smoking supernovae

Researchers from Cardiff University and the Royal Observatory Edinburgh found that some supernovae belch out huge quantities of cosmic dust. This discovery suggests that supernovae were responsible for producing the first solid particles in the Universe, shedding light on the origin of our planet.

SourceCardiff University·JournalNature·DateJul 16, 2003