馃挜馃挜 Double detonation!
For the first time, astronomers have obtained visual evidence that a star met its end by blasting twice.
This was done by studying the centuries-old remains of supernova SNR 0509-67.5 with our Very Large Telescope. Led by the Univ. of South Wales, this shows some of the most important explosions in the Universe in a new light.
What happened exactly? Keep reading.
#astrodon #astronomy #astrophysics #space #science
馃摲 ESO/P. Das et al. Backgr. stars (HST): K. Noll et al.
The observations support the idea that SNR 0509-67.5 was generated by a white dwarf, which formed a blanket of helium stolen from a companion star. This helium became unstable and ignited, sending a shockwave around the white dwarf and inwards. The explosion triggered a second detonation in the core of the star, ultimately creating the supernova.
The fingerprint left by this process? Two separate shells of calcium found in the supernova鈥檚 remains.
Read more: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2511/
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