supernova

White Dwarf Measured Before it Exploded as a Supernova

Using isotope measurements of a supernova remnant, astronomers have calculated the core density of a white dwarf before it exploded.

4 years ago

Supernova Observed by Astronomers in 1181 Could Have Been a Rare Type 1ax That Leaves Behind a “Zombie Star” Remnant

In 1181 CE, Chinese and Japanese astronomers noticed a "guest star" as bright as Saturn briefly appearing in their night…

4 years ago

Shrapnel From Relatively Recent Supernovae Found in the Earth’s Crust

A Japanese oil exploration company recently dug up some samples from the Pacific Ocean floor and donated them to researchers. …

4 years ago

Exploding Stars are Titanium Factories

If you're a fan of titanium, you should head to the nearest supernova. You'll get more than enough of it.…

4 years ago

The Debris Cloud From a Supernova Shows an Imprint of the Actual Explosion

Computer models are continuing to play an increasing role in scientific discovery.  Everything from the first moments after the Big…

4 years ago

An All-Sky X-Ray Survey Finds the Biggest Supernova Remnant Ever Seen

Our sky is missing supernovas. Stars live for millions or billions of years. But given the sheer number of stars…

4 years ago

A New Study Says That Betelgeuse Won’t Be Exploding Any Time Soon

I have stood under Orion The Hunter on clear evenings willing its star Betelgeuse to explode. “C'mon, blow up!” In…

4 years ago

Astronomers Think They’ve Found the Neutron Star Remnant Left Behind from Supernova 1987A

It was the brightest supernova in nearly 400 years when it lit the skies of the southern hemisphere in February…

4 years ago

A New Supernova Remnant Found from an Exploding White Dwarf Star

Astronomers have spotted the remnant of a rare type of supernova explosion. It's called a Type Iax supernova, and it's…

4 years ago

There Should be a few Supernovae in the Milky Way Every Century, but we’ve Only Seen 5 in the Last 1000 Years. Why?

Our galaxy hosts supernovae explosions a few times every century, and yet it's been hundreds of years since the last…

4 years ago