Humans Watched This Supernova Explode Nearly a Millennium Ago. Now You Can See It in High Definition
Astronomers using the Gemini North telescope have discovered unique, bead-like structures in the Pa 30 supernova remnant. These findings provide new insights into the formation of stellar debris and the nature of 'zombie stars' that partially survive thermonuclear explosions.
Why it matters
Understanding the mechanics of supernova remnants helps scientists refine models of stellar evolution and the life cycles of stars.
Previous images of the explosion’s remnants had also captured a sphere of long, filament-like strands of matter that collectively resemble fireworks or a dandelion. The new observations, made with the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, revealed about 10 times more structures than any previous glimpses of the supernova remnant. With this resolution, researchers can now see that these filaments are not continuous as they had previously appeared. Instead, they’re shaped more like beads on a string, made up of pearl-like knots of gas of relatively uniform size.
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