Massive ‘double detonation’ spotted by astronomers for the first time

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Massive ‘double detonation’ spotted by astronomers for the first time

Some stars are so started for the size that they explode twice. For the first time, a team of astronomers found direct visual evidence of a star who met his fiery end by exploding twice. The team using the very large telescope of the Southern European Observatory (VLT of ESO) found this double explosion in the searice remains of a supernova designated as SNR 0509-67.5. They found models that confirm that his star underwent two explosive explosions. The results are detailed in a study published on July 2 in the journal Natural astronomy And offers a new look on some of the most important explosions in the universe.

What are IA supernovae?

The majority of supernovae in the universe are the explosive death of massive stars. A variety of important supernova comes from an unpretentious source of white dwarfs. These celestial bodies are the small inactive nuclei left after larger stars – similar to our Sun -Furn of all their nuclear fuel. White dwarfs can also produce what astronomers call an IA supernova.

“The explosions of white dwarfs play a crucial role in astronomy,” said Priyam Das, co-author of the study and doctoral student at the University of New Wales in South Canberra, Australia. “However, despite their importance, the long-standing puzzle of the exact mechanism triggering their explosion is not resolved.”

A large part of our knowledge of the way in which the universe develops is based on the understanding of IA type supernovae. These types of supernovae are a main source of land iron, including iron pumping into your blood right now.

IA supernovae generally start with a white dwarf which is a star in a pair. If the other star orbit closely, the dwarf can steal equipment from its partner. In the most established theory behind IA supernovae, the white dwarf seizes the matter of her companion – until she reaches a critical mass. Then it is time for a single fiery and ardent explosion. However, recent studies have suggested that some IA supernovae can be better explained by a double explosion which is triggered before the star reaches this critical mass.

[ Related: Astronomers find spiraling stars heading towards a rare cosmic explosion. ]

See double problems

The supernova in this new study – SNR 0509-67.5 – is around 160,000 light years of the earth in the DORADO constellation. Astronomers describe a new image that they have taken with ESO VLT data which proves that this intuition on the double explosions was correct. Some IA type supernovae explode through a “double -detrusation” mechanism rather than one. In this new model, the white dwarf forms a helium blanket stolen around itself. Helium is a chemical element that can become unstable and ignite. If this happens, the initial explosion generates a shock wave that moves around the white dwarf and inward. This triggers a second detonation in the heart of the star, which finally forms the supernova.

Previously, there was no clear visual evidence of a white dwarf undergoing a double detonation. Astronomers have predicted that this process would create a distinct digital fingerprints or fingerprints observed in the remains of the supernova. They theorized that this index would be visible long after the initial explosion, in part because the remains of such a supernova would have two distinct calcium shells.

Astronomers have now found this type of calcium digital imprint in the remains of a supernova. According to Ivo Seitenzahl, co-author of the study and nuclear astrophysicist of the German Institute Heidelberg for theoretical studies, these results show “a clear indication that white dwarfs can explode long before they reach the famous mass limit of Chandrasekhar, and that” double deteonation “occurs.”

The team detected these calcium layers – in blue in the image – by observing supernova remnant SN 0509-67.5 with the multitical spectroscopic explorer (muse) on the ESO VLT. The results provide solid evidence that a Type IA supernova can occur in a manner made before its white parent dwarf reaches a critical mass.

This image shows the distribution of calcium in the SNR 0509-67.5 supernova. The data was captured with the multi-united spectroscopic explorer instrument (Muse) with the very large ESO telescope (VLT). The bunk curves describe two concentric calcium shells that were ejected into two distinct detonations when the star died several hundred years ago. Credit: ESO / P. DAS et al.
ESO / p. Das et al.

Cosmic measuring tape

IA supernovae are also important for astronomers because they behave in a very coherent way and have a predictable brightness – unimportant how far they are. This level of consistency helps astronomers to measure the distances in space. While using IA supernovae as a cosmic measuring ribbon, astronomers have discovered the accelerated expansion of the universe. The team behind this revolutionary discovery received the Nobel physics prize in 2011. Studying how these supernovae explodes will help us understand why they have such predictable and coherent brightness.

“This tangible proof of a double detonation contributes not only to the resolution of a long -standing mystery, but also offers a visual show,” said DAS, describing the “magnificently strata structure” that a supernova creates. “Restracting the interior functioning of such a spectacular cosmic explosion is incredibly enriching.”