A supernova is a powerful and luminous stellar explosion that occurs at the end of a star’s life cycle, typically triggered in one of two ways. The first involves a massive star exhausting its nuclear fuel, leading to a core collapse under the force of gravity, and a subsequent violent explosion. The second type occurs in a binary star system where a white dwarf star accumulates material from its companion star until it reaches a critical mass and undergoes a thermonuclear explosion. Supernovae are among the universe’s most energetic events and play a crucial role in galactic evolution, dispersing heavy elements necessary for new stars and planets into space. The brightness of a supernova can briefly outshine an entire galaxy and can be visible from great distances, providing critical information about the universe’s expansion and the interstellar medium’s composition.
Space May 20, 2024
Neutrino Alchemy Unveils Rare Elements in Cosmic Explosions
Scientists have proposed a new nucleosynthesis process, the νr-process, which may explain the origin of rare isotopes in the solar system. A new nucleosynthesis process…
Space May 6, 2024
Galactic Wonders: Hubble Explores a Supernova Factory
Located 240 million light-years away, UGC 9684 is recognized for its regular production of supernovae and new stars, earning the spotlight in recent Hubble observations…
Space May 3, 2024
Rare Dust Particle From Ancient Extraterrestrial Meteorite Challenges Astrophysical Models
In a groundbreaking discovery published in the prestigious Astrophysical Journal, scientists have identified a rare dust particle lodged within an ancient extraterrestrial meteorite, shedding new…
Space April 26, 2024
Unprecedented Find in Meteorite Challenges Astrophysical Models
Scientists have discovered a meteorite particle with an unprecedented magnesium isotopic ratio, indicating its origin from a hydrogen burning supernova. Research has discovered a rare…
Space April 19, 2024
Defying Expectations: NASA’s Fermi Sees No Gamma Rays From Nearby Supernova
Observations of SN 2023ixf in 2023 led to surprising findings regarding cosmic ray production by supernovae, with potential implications for understanding cosmic ray origins and…
Space April 11, 2024
Webb Telescope Uncovers Neutron Star Hidden in Supernova Debris
Astronomers detect long-sought compact object within the remnant of Supernova 1987A In February 1987, the closest supernova to Earth in almost 400 years exploded onto…
Space March 15, 2024
Unpacking a Cosmic “String of Pearls” – Crow Instability Solves a Supernova Puzzle
It looks like the same mechanism that breaks up airplane contrails might be at play in forming the clumps of hydrogen gas that ring the…
Space February 26, 2024
Webb Space Telescope Discovers Neutron Star in Historic Supernova Debris
The discovery of a neutron star in Supernova 1987A illuminates the life cycle of stars and the cosmic origins of essential elements. An international team…
Space February 9, 2024
Type Ia Supernovae: The Unexpected Architects of Cosmic Dust Storms
Astronomers identify Type Ia supernovae interacting with gas as a new source of cosmic dust, offering insights into the process of dust formation in elliptical…
Science January 16, 2024
The Iron-60 Enigma: Decoding Cosmic Explosions on Earth
Search for witnesses of near-Earth astrophysical events. When large stars or celestial bodies explode near Earth, their debris can reach our solar system. Evidence of…
Space January 15, 2024
Gone but Not Forgotten: A Supernova 2.5 Billion Times Brighter Than the Sun
Hubble’s observations of the galaxy UGC 5189A and the exceptionally bright supernova SN 2010jl provide critical insights into the nature and aftermath of supernovae. This…
Space January 14, 2024
Cosmic Puzzles: The Mystery Behind Universe’s Rare Radio Circles Unveiled
Outflowing galactic winds from exploding stars may explain the enormous rings. It’s not every day astronomers say, “What is that?” After all, most observed astronomical…
Space January 13, 2024
“We Had Never Seen Anything Like This Before” – Astronomers Discover Signs of Life Following Star’s Explosive Death
The University of Sheffield’s ULTRASPEC camera, mounted on the Thai National Telescope, made it possible to sight the never-before-seen flashes. Astrophysicists have resolved the controversy…
Space January 7, 2024
Astronomers Unprecedented Discovery – Stellar Corpse Shows Signs of Life
A distant star’s explosive demise left behind an active stellar corpse, which is believed to be the source of multiple energetic flares detected over several…
Space January 6, 2024
Breaking the Cosmic Code: NASA Telescopes Start the Year With a Double Bang
Researchers reveal 30 Dor B, a supernova remnant, to be a complex site of multiple explosions, advancing our knowledge of star lifecycles and supernovae. X-rays…
Space January 3, 2024
Pioneering Discovery of Binary Stripped Stars Unlocks Cosmic Secrets
New findings confirm existence of hot helium stars long-thought to be at the heart of hydrogen-poor supernovae and neutron star mergers. Astronomers at the University…
Space December 28, 2023
SN 1006 Unveiled: Chandra and IXPE’s New Insights Into a Millennium-Old Supernova
SN 1006, a supernova observed over a millennium ago, has been extensively studied using NASA’s Chandra and IXPE telescopes, revealing critical details about its magnetic…
Space December 28, 2023
Supernova Scavenger Hunt: Cracking the Case of Cosmic Ghost Stars
Uncovering the missing precursors of hydrogen-poor supernovae. Supernovae–stellar explosions as bright as an entire galaxy–have fascinated us since time immemorial. Yet, there are more hydrogen-poor…
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