supernovae – Astronomy Now

Webb reveals new details – and new questions – about the Cas A supernova remnant

8 April 2023 Astronomy Now

The James Webb Space Telescope’s infrared view of the Cas A supernova remnant may help resolve questions about high concentrations of dust in early galaxies.

Solving a cosmic (ray) mystery

12 March 2021 Astronomy Now

New research indicates the most energetic cosmic rays may be generated in young star clusters, not supernovae as previously theorised.

Hubble Space Telescope tracks the rise and fall of a brilliant supernova

24 November 2020 Astronomy Now

Across a gulf of 70 million light years, the brilliant flare of an exploding star shines like a beacon in the outer reaches of a spiral galaxy, providing tell-tale clues about the expansion rate of the universe.

Nearby supernova blasts may be culprits in at least one mass extinction

24 August 2020 Astronomy Now

Nearby supernovae may be to blame for an extended depletion of Earth’s protective ozone layer at the end of the Devonian period, triggering a mass extinction

Now you see it, now you don’t; a massive star disappears

2 July 2020 Astronomy Now

Astronomers ponder the fate of a massive star in a remote dwarf galaxy that disappeared without a trace.

Researchers build “supernova in a box” to study the physics of stellar blasts

23 June 2020 Astronomy Now

Researchers build a “supernova machine” to mimic in miniature the explosive turbulent mixing that occurs when stars explode.

Observations show shock waves likely key to nova’s brightness

15 April 2020 Astronomy Now

Observations indicate the visible brightness of a nova is driven by gamma ray emissions from shockwaves in the post-explosion environment.

A titanic burst of star formation in Milky Way’s recent past

17 December 2019 Astronomy Now

Peering into the heart of the Milky Way with a powerful infrared camera, astronomers see evidence for a titanic burst of star formation in the relatively recent past.

Face-on spiral galaxy showcases multiple supernova blasts

5 December 2019 Astronomy Now

Spiral galaxies oriented face on to Earth offer spectacular views while giving astronomers a better chance to monitor the frequency of supernova blasts. A prime example is a galaxy known as NGC 5468 where at least five stellar explosions have been spotted.

Astronomers thrilled by most powerful gamma ray burst to date

24 November 2019 Astronomy Now

Astronomers have spotted the most powerful gamma ray burst to date, a titanic explosion that emitted radiation a trillion times more energetic than visible light.