The Birth and Death of a Supernova
December 19th 2011 05:26
Category: Cosmic Objects
SN 2011fe in the Pinwheel Galaxy in the vicinity of the Big Dipper Credit: Image by B. J. Fulton, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network
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Supernova’s are one of the universe’s show performers. Stars that have reached their used by date and really go off with a bright flash of light. Supernovas are common occurrences throughout the universe.
Many galaxies experience the sudden cataclysmic demise of a star.
Some can be seen here on Earth. There are many documented cases over the course of many centuries of bright stars suddenly appearing in the night sky.
Ancient Chinese astronomers have documented entries dating back to 185 AD and 1054 AD.
On August 24, scientists witnessed a star exploding. Astronomers had literary witnessed the birth of a supernova within hours of it happening all in “real” time.
The remnant of SN 2011fe located some 20.9 million light years. 20.9 million light years is not considered a large distance considering the vastness of the universe.
SN 2011fe is the second ‘closest’ supernova in over 25 years. The supernova was imaged only 11 hours after exploding.
Although the supernova exploded almost 21 million light years ago, to us it was like it was yesterday.
Supernova’s give us some insight in the mechanism that causes a star to violently explode.
SN 2011fe had a companion star.An ageing star in decline much like SN2011fe tries to supplement its fuel supply with matter,and energy from a companion star.
From then it is just a matter of time until the white dwarf tears itself apart and explodes with the light energy of a billion suns.
We may have to wait for another 30 or so years until another ‘close’ supernova explodes in our neck of the woods, perhaps we may see one explode within our own galaxy.
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