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For the first time, Astronomers saw a star that has reached a dramatic end by exploding twice.
Published in a study in Naturastronomy, The researchers analyzed the centuries-old remains of Supernova SNR 0509-67.5 with the very large telescope of the European Southern Observatory and provided the first visual evidence of the “double detonation” of a star.
Most supernovae are the explosive result of massive stars that collapse when they exhaust their nuclear fuel. However, others come from white dwarfs, the inactive cores, which, according to smaller stars such as our sun, no longer have fuel.
“The explosions of white dwarfs play a crucial role in astronomy” opinion. “Despite its importance, the long -term puzzle of the exact mechanism that triggers its explosion remains unresolved.”
If you share a star system with a different star, white dwarfs can produce what astronomers call type Ia Supernova. These supernovae only occur in binary star systems when a white dwarf steals from its companion star like a selfish siblings until it grows into a critical mass. At this point, the white dwarf becomes unstable, which leads to a massive explosion.
Recent studies have indicated that this may not be the whole story. Astronomers have theorized that at least some Type -ia Supernovae could actually not be the result of one but of two explosions. In this scenario, the white dwarf in Helium, which was stolen from his partner star. This helium is unstable and detonated and sends a shock wave through the inactive star. This triggers another explosion that begins in the core of the star and ultimately creates a supernova.
Astronomers predicted that double detonation would leave a unique fingerprint in the remains of a supernova, visible long after the initial explosion. So far, astronomers have had no visual evidence of this fingerprint. However, they were finally able to find some of the examination of Supernova SNR 0509-67.5 by watching the multi-unit spectroscopic Explorer (Muse) on the very large telescope of the European Southern Observatory. The analysis made it possible for the researchers to determine the distribution of different chemical elements that were displayed as different colors in the picture. They saw significantly different layers of calcium, which were arranged in two concentric mussels. These two layers provide evidence that the star has experienced two explosions.
The results were “a clear indication that white dwarfs can explode well before reaching the famous Chandrasekhar massif border, and that mechanism with double-detonation mechanism actually occurs in nature,” said IVO page number, researcher at the Heidelberg Institute for theoretical Studies in Germany.
Type -Ia -Supernovae are not only extremely cool, but are also the key to examining the expansion and the dark energy of the universe, since their consistent behavior and its predictable brightness can help to measure distances in the room.
And as a bonus it is visually breathtaking. “This tangible proof of a double detonation not only contributes to solving a long -term secret, but also offers a visual spectacle,” said that in a explanation and describes the “beautifully layered structure” that creates a supernova.
