Supernovae
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Scientists Develop New Approach to Capture Gravitational Wave Memory from Supernovae
A study published in Physical Review Letters highlights new methods to detect the gravitational wave memory effect, a unique phenomenon predicted by Einstein's general relativity. Core-collapse supernovae (massive stellar explosions) generate these low-frequency gravitational waves, offering a rare glimpse into stellar interiors. Despite their weak...
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Namibian Observatory Spots Highest Energy Cosmic Electrons Opening Better Understanding of Cosmic Rays
The H.E.S.S. Observatory in Namibia has detected the highest-energy cosmic ray electrons ever observed, suggesting sources within a few hundred light-years. The findings point to extreme phenomena like pulsars and supernova remnants, offering insights into cosmic processes and particle accelerators. The breakthrough provides crucial data for future...
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Crab Nebula’s Strange Zebra Pattern Pulsars Could Be Due to Its Unusual Plasma Density
The Crab Nebula, home to the Crab Pulsar, has long fascinated astronomers due to its unique zebra-like radiation pattern. This strange emission, which has puzzled researchers since its discovery in 2007, is now explained by new research. A team led by Mikhail Medvedev, a physicist at the University of Kansas, uncovered that the unusual pattern is c...
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First Zoomed-in Picture of a Star Outside Our Galaxy Captured, Revealed to Be a Dying Star
The first detailed image of a star outside the Milky Way reveals WOH G64, a giant nearing its end. Captured by the Very Large Telescope Interferometer, this dying star, 1,500 times the size of the Sun, is surrounded by a cocoon of gas and dust, hinting at its eventual collapse into a supernova.
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A Nearby Supernova May End Dark Matter Search, Claims New Study
A supernova within the Milky Way could revolutionise dark matter research by producing gamma rays from axions, elusive particles theorised to exist during a star's core collapse. Scientists at UC Berkeley are calling for gamma-ray telescopes to monitor the sky, ensuring readiness for the next nearby supernova. Such an event could confirm the axion'...
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Never-Seen-Before Image Of Dying Star On Verge Of Supernova Captured
The star, identified as WOH G64, is located 160,000 light-years from us in the Large Magellanic Cloud and is on the verge of dying.
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Could a Supernova Threaten Earth’s Survival? Here's What You Need to Know
Supernova explosions have the potential to harm Earth’s atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer. However, no stars close enough to cause damage are currently identified. The risks are low, but gamma-ray bursts, caused by neutron star mergers, may pose an even greater threat in the future.
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New 3D Map of Local Hot Bubble Reveals Interstellar Tunnel to Superbubble
Using data from the eROSITA All-Sky Survey, astronomers mapped the Local Hot Bubble in 3D, finding a new interstellar tunnel leading towards Centaurus. This tunnel may link the bubble with another galactic superbubble, hinting at a broader network of gas corridors. The eROSITA data also unveils temperature variations within the bubble, supporting t...
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NASA's Webb and Hubble Capture Spooky, ‘Blood-Soaked Eyes’ Galaxies IC 2163 and NGC 2207
NASA's Hubble and James Webb telescopes have captured the breathtaking merger of galaxies IC 2163 and NGC 2207, located 80 million light-years away. This captivating process, described as a “blood-soaked” cosmic dance, showcases the ongoing star formation occurring between the galaxies as they interact. With an impressive rate of star birth and...
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Astronomers Observe Black Hole That May Have Formed Gently
The conventional wisdom among astronomers is that black holes - those exceptionally dense objects with gravity so powerful that not even light can escape - form in the violent explosion, called a supernova, of a massive dying star.
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Supernova SN 1181 Reveals Rare “Zombie Star” in Pa 30 Nebula
A supernova recorded in 1181, known as SN 1181, has been linked to the Pa 30 nebula, revealing a rare “zombie star.” Advanced 3D imaging from the Keck Observatory has shown unusual filaments expanding from this star, marking it as a unique case in supernova studies. This zombie star survived a thermonuclear explosion on a white dwarf, challengi...
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India Unveils MACE Observatory, the World’s Highest Imaging Cherenkov Telescope
The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) observatory has been inaugurated in Hanle, Ladakh, at an altitude of over 4,300 metres. This state-of-the-art facility will advance India's capabilities in cosmic-ray research and high-energy astrophysics. Inaugurated by Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, the observ...
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Unraveling the Story of Pa 30: A Supernova's Remarkable Legacy
Pa 30 is a fascinating nebula that emerged from a supernova observed in 1181. At its center lies a remarkable white dwarf, often called a "zombie star," which continues to emit extraordinary heat and light. Recent studies utilizing advanced mapping techniques have unveiled new details about the nebula's unique shape and rapid expansion, offering in...
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Supergiant Star Betelgeuse Might Have a Hidden Companion Star, New Study Claims
Recent research suggests that Betelgeuse, the prominent red supergiant in the Orion constellation, might have a hidden companion star, nicknamed “Betelbuddy.” Led by Jared Goldberg at the Flatiron Institute, the study proposes that this unseen star could be influencing Betelgeuse's unusual brightness fluctuations. Using computer simulations, th...
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James Webb Telescope Reveals Massive Westerlund 1 Super Star Cluster Hidden in Milky Way’s Dust
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled Westerlund 1, the Milky Way’s largest super star cluster, located 12,000 light-years away in the constellation Ara. This massive cluster, with stars up to 2,000 times larger than the Sun, has a total mass between 50,000 to 100,000 times that of the Sun. Previously hidden by cosmic dust, Westerlun...
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Scientists Develop New Approach to Capture Gravitational Wave Memory from Supernovae
A study published in Physical Review Letters highlights new methods to detect the gravitational wave memory effect, a unique phenomenon predicted by Einstein's general relativity. Core-collapse supernovae (massive stellar explosions) generate these low-frequency gravitational waves, offering a rare glimpse into stellar interiors. Despite their weak...
-
Namibian Observatory Spots Highest Energy Cosmic Electrons Opening Better Understanding of Cosmic Rays
The H.E.S.S. Observatory in Namibia has detected the highest-energy cosmic ray electrons ever observed, suggesting sources within a few hundred light-years. The findings point to extreme phenomena like pulsars and supernova remnants, offering insights into cosmic processes and particle accelerators. The breakthrough provides crucial data for future...
-
Crab Nebula’s Strange Zebra Pattern Pulsars Could Be Due to Its Unusual Plasma Density
The Crab Nebula, home to the Crab Pulsar, has long fascinated astronomers due to its unique zebra-like radiation pattern. This strange emission, which has puzzled researchers since its discovery in 2007, is now explained by new research. A team led by Mikhail Medvedev, a physicist at the University of Kansas, uncovered that the unusual pattern is c...
-
First Zoomed-in Picture of a Star Outside Our Galaxy Captured, Revealed to Be a Dying Star
The first detailed image of a star outside the Milky Way reveals WOH G64, a giant nearing its end. Captured by the Very Large Telescope Interferometer, this dying star, 1,500 times the size of the Sun, is surrounded by a cocoon of gas and dust, hinting at its eventual collapse into a supernova.
-
A Nearby Supernova May End Dark Matter Search, Claims New Study
A supernova within the Milky Way could revolutionise dark matter research by producing gamma rays from axions, elusive particles theorised to exist during a star's core collapse. Scientists at UC Berkeley are calling for gamma-ray telescopes to monitor the sky, ensuring readiness for the next nearby supernova. Such an event could confirm the axion'...
-
Never-Seen-Before Image Of Dying Star On Verge Of Supernova Captured
The star, identified as WOH G64, is located 160,000 light-years from us in the Large Magellanic Cloud and is on the verge of dying.
-
Could a Supernova Threaten Earth’s Survival? Here's What You Need to Know
Supernova explosions have the potential to harm Earth’s atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer. However, no stars close enough to cause damage are currently identified. The risks are low, but gamma-ray bursts, caused by neutron star mergers, may pose an even greater threat in the future.
-
New 3D Map of Local Hot Bubble Reveals Interstellar Tunnel to Superbubble
Using data from the eROSITA All-Sky Survey, astronomers mapped the Local Hot Bubble in 3D, finding a new interstellar tunnel leading towards Centaurus. This tunnel may link the bubble with another galactic superbubble, hinting at a broader network of gas corridors. The eROSITA data also unveils temperature variations within the bubble, supporting t...
-
NASA's Webb and Hubble Capture Spooky, ‘Blood-Soaked Eyes’ Galaxies IC 2163 and NGC 2207
NASA's Hubble and James Webb telescopes have captured the breathtaking merger of galaxies IC 2163 and NGC 2207, located 80 million light-years away. This captivating process, described as a “blood-soaked” cosmic dance, showcases the ongoing star formation occurring between the galaxies as they interact. With an impressive rate of star birth and...
-
Astronomers Observe Black Hole That May Have Formed Gently
The conventional wisdom among astronomers is that black holes - those exceptionally dense objects with gravity so powerful that not even light can escape - form in the violent explosion, called a supernova, of a massive dying star.
-
Supernova SN 1181 Reveals Rare “Zombie Star” in Pa 30 Nebula
A supernova recorded in 1181, known as SN 1181, has been linked to the Pa 30 nebula, revealing a rare “zombie star.” Advanced 3D imaging from the Keck Observatory has shown unusual filaments expanding from this star, marking it as a unique case in supernova studies. This zombie star survived a thermonuclear explosion on a white dwarf, challengi...
-
India Unveils MACE Observatory, the World’s Highest Imaging Cherenkov Telescope
The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) observatory has been inaugurated in Hanle, Ladakh, at an altitude of over 4,300 metres. This state-of-the-art facility will advance India's capabilities in cosmic-ray research and high-energy astrophysics. Inaugurated by Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, the observ...
-
Unraveling the Story of Pa 30: A Supernova's Remarkable Legacy
Pa 30 is a fascinating nebula that emerged from a supernova observed in 1181. At its center lies a remarkable white dwarf, often called a "zombie star," which continues to emit extraordinary heat and light. Recent studies utilizing advanced mapping techniques have unveiled new details about the nebula's unique shape and rapid expansion, offering in...
-
Supergiant Star Betelgeuse Might Have a Hidden Companion Star, New Study Claims
Recent research suggests that Betelgeuse, the prominent red supergiant in the Orion constellation, might have a hidden companion star, nicknamed “Betelbuddy.” Led by Jared Goldberg at the Flatiron Institute, the study proposes that this unseen star could be influencing Betelgeuse's unusual brightness fluctuations. Using computer simulations, th...
-
James Webb Telescope Reveals Massive Westerlund 1 Super Star Cluster Hidden in Milky Way’s Dust
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled Westerlund 1, the Milky Way’s largest super star cluster, located 12,000 light-years away in the constellation Ara. This massive cluster, with stars up to 2,000 times larger than the Sun, has a total mass between 50,000 to 100,000 times that of the Sun. Previously hidden by cosmic dust, Westerlun...
