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Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers capture incredible 1st image of a dead star that exploded twice. How did it happen?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. You may only live once, but some stars die twice. Astronomers have now discovered the first visual evidence of such a stellar event, a dead star that underwent a so-called "double-detonation." This could indicate that some stars could go supernova without reaching the so-called Chandrasekhar limit, the minimum mass that a star needs to go supernova. Using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and its Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument, the team zoomed in on the centuries-old remains of supernova SNR 0509-67.5 located 60,000 light-years away in the constellation Dorado. This investigation revealed structures within this explosive wreckage that indicate its progenitor star exploded not once but twice. Said star was a white dwarf, the type of stellar remnant that forms when a star with a mass similar to that of the sun runs out of fuel for nuclear fusion. The types of supernova explosions that white dwarfs undergo, Type Ia supernovas, are important to astronomers because they can be used to measure cosmic distances because their light output is so uniform. Thus, astronomers often refer to them as "standard candles."The first visual evidence of a double detonation white dwarf reveals hidden depths to these important stellar events, scientists say. "The explosions of white dwarfs play a crucial role in astronomy," team leader and University of New South Wales researcher Priyam Das said in a statement. "Yet, despite their importance, the long-standing puzzle of the exact mechanism triggering their explosion remains unsolved." Scientists agree that the genesis of Type Ia supernovas is binary systems of two stars in which one becomes a white dwarf. If this dead star orbits close enough to its living stellar companion, or if that companion swells up, then the white dwarf becomes a stellar vampire, greedily stripping material from its companion or "donor" star. This continues until the piling up stolen material has added so much mass to the white dwarf that the stellar remnant crosses the so-called Chandrasekhar limit, which is about 1.4 times the mass of the sun. Hence, this cosmic vampire white dwarf explodes in a Type Ia supernova. It is believed that in most cases, the eruption completely destroys the white dwarf. But for some time, astronomers have suspected there may be more to the story. Maybe white dwarfs can experience a second explosion. This research confirms that at least some white dwarfs experience double-detonations. The question is: why? Theory behind double-detonations suggests that in these cases, as white dwarfs are stripping material from a donor star, they wrap themselves in a blanket of stolen helium. This envelope becomes unstable and eventually ignites, triggering the first detonation. The initial explosion generates a shockwave that ripples inwards, eventually striking the core of the white dwarf, triggering a second detonation, the actual supernova. The significance of this to our understanding of Type Ia white dwarf supernovas is that it can occur well before a dead star swells beyond the Chandrasekhar limit. Recently, scientists determined that this double-detonation process would imprint a distinctive "fingerprint" with supernova wreckage. This should be present long after the supernova ripped its progenitor star apart. That fingerprint is now visually confirmed as being present in the wreckage of SNR 0509-67.5, supernova wreckage in the Large Magellanic Cloud first detected in 2004 and believed to be around 400 years old as we see it. Related Stories: — 'Vampire stars' explode after eating too much — AI could help reveal why — Supernova explosion's weird leftovers may contain a super-dense star — Peer inside remnants of an 800-year-old supernova and see a 'zombie' star Beyond being an important discovery for our scientific understanding of these events and solving a lingering mystery about the evolution of white dwarfs, the observation of SNR 0509-67.5 has provided astronomy lovers with some stunning eye-candy. "This tangible evidence of a double-detonation not only contributes towards solving a long-standing mystery, but also offers a visual spectacle," Das concluded. The team's research was published on Wednesday (July 2) in the journal Nature Astronomy
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Can a star die twice? Scientists spot rare cosmic ‘double detonation'
For a long time, scientists believed that just like humans, stars died only once. Now, a rare sighting seems to change the widely held belief. Scientists from the European Space Observatory (ESO) have spotted the first-ever visual evidence of a double detonation of a star, meaning death twice. 'This tangible evidence of a double-detonation not only contributes towards solving a long-standing mystery, but also offers a visual spectacle,' said Priyam Das, a researcher from University of New South Wales who led the SNR 0509-67.5 study, in a statement. By using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument, ESO scientists observed the remains of supernova SNR 0509-67.5. Located more than 160,000 light-years away, the supernova remnant is believed to have formed more than 300 years ago. The remnants reportedly showed clear indications of the supernova's progenitor star exploding twice. This can give an indication that a small number of stars could become supernovas without having reached the Chandrasekhar limit. This limit indicates the minimum mass of a star in order to become a supernova, which is around 1.4 times the mass of the Sun. As per ESO's research and data from observatories using the Hubble Space Telescope, the SNR 0509-67.5 was confirmed to be a white dwarf star. These stars undergo supernova explosions termed as 'Type Ia supernovas', which are useful to scientists while measuring cosmic distances. This is since the light that these supernovas emit is uniform, giving them the nickname 'standard candles' by astronomers. Astronomy places importance on the explosions of white dwarfs. However, the exact mechanism that triggers their explosion is still a mystery. The common consensus among scientists is that the genesis of Type Ia supernovas is a binary system of stars, with one dying and becoming a white dwarf. If the dead white dwarf ends up orbiting too close to the second living star, then the white dwarf becomes a 'stellar vampire'. This subsequently draws material from its living companion star, until the white dwarf crosses the Chandrasekhar limit. Then, the white dwarf explodes in a Type Ia supernova, which was previously believed to cause an eruption that destroyed the white dwarf. However, this was never considered a closed-book by scientists, and this recent research has further established the possibility of double detonations in white dwarfs. As per the latest theory, when white dwarfs become stellar vampires and are drawing material from their donor stars, they end up engulfing themselves in stolen helium. This then becomes unstable and ignites, leading to the first detonation. This explosion then generates a shockwave rippling inward, which goes on to strike the white dwarf's core. This subsequently leads to the second detonation, which then leads to the formation of the actual supernova. This is notable since it can occur before the white dwarf's mass exceeds that of the Chandrasekhar limit. Scientists were able to determine that a double-detonation would cause a long-lasting 'fingerprint' with the wreckage of the supernova. This has been confirmed by its presence in the SNR 0509-67.5 wreckage. (This article has been curated by Purv Ashar, who is an intern with The Indian Express)
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Stunning ultra-detailed picture of Sculptor galaxy unveiled by ESO
Astronomers at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) have unveiled the most stunning and ultra-detailed map ever created of the Sculptor galaxy , also known as NGC 253 . Located about 11 million light years away, this galaxy shares many similarities with our own Milky Way in terms of size and structure. Using the powerful Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope , researchers spent over 50 hours capturing more than 100 exposures. The resulting image covers an area 65,000 light years wide and reveals thousands of colors, offering unprecedented insight into the stars, gas, and dust within the galaxy. Sculptor galaxy in unmatched details The Sculptor galaxy is close enough for astronomers to resolve its internal structure with incredible precision while still observing it as a whole system. This ultra-detailed map allows scientists to study the galaxy's building blocks—stars, gas, and dust—in ways never before possible. Unlike typical galaxy images that show only a few colors, this image reveals thousands, providing vital information about the age, composition, and motion of celestial objects within Sculptor. How the image was captured by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Diese Testsieger-Wärmepumpe stellt den Heizungsmarkt auf den Kopf thermondo Undo To create this breathtaking map, researchers used ESO's Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument on the Very Large Telescope in Chile. They observed the Sculptor galaxy for over 50 hours and stitched together more than 100 exposures. The final image spans an area 65,000 light years wide, capturing a vast and detailed view of the galaxy's structure and composition. New discoveries: Planetary nebulae and star formation The detailed image has already led to the discovery of 500 new planetary nebulae—shells of gas and dust emitted by dying stars. These nebulae help astronomers verify the distance to the Sculptor galaxy, which is crucial for further studies. The map also allows researchers to examine how gas flows and changes composition to form new stars, shedding light on the life cycle of galaxies. Why Sculptor galaxy matters Like our neighboring Andromeda galaxy, the Sculptor galaxy is bright, large, and easily visible with binoculars under ideal conditions. Its proximity and size make it an excellent subject for studying galactic evolution. This new ultra-detailed map marks a significant step forward in understanding how galaxies like our own Milky Way form, evolve, and sustain star formation. Looking ahead: Future research opportunities With this detailed map in hand, astronomers plan to delve deeper into the Sculptor galaxy's dynamics. They aim to study gas flows, star formation processes, and the lifecycle of stars with unprecedented clarity. This breakthrough will not only enhance our knowledge of Sculptor but also provide valuable insights applicable to other galaxies across the universe.
NDTV
21-06-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Pics: Nearby Sculptor Galaxy Revealed In Ultra-Detailed Galactic Image
Washington: The Sculptor galaxy is similar in many respects to our Milky Way. It is about the same size and mass, with a similar spiral structure. But while it is impossible to get a full view of the Milky Way from the vantage point of Earth because we are inside the galaxy, Sculptor is perfectly positioned for a good look. Astronomers have done just that, releasing an ultra-detailed image of the Sculptor galaxy on Wednesday obtained with 50 hours of observations using one of the world's biggest telescopes, the European Southern Observatory's Chile-based Very Large Telescope. The image shows Sculptor, also called NGC 253, in around 4,000 different colors, each corresponding to a specific wavelength in the optical spectrum. Because various galactic components emit light differently across the spectrum, the observations are providing information at unprecedented detail on the inner workings of an entire galaxy, from star formation to the motion of interstellar gas on large scales. Conventional images in astronomy offer only a handful of colors, providing less information. The researchers used the telescope's Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer, or MUSE, instrument. "NGC 253 is close enough that we can observe it in remarkable detail with MUSE, yet far enough that we can still see the entire galaxy in a single field of view," said astronomer Enrico Congiu, a fellow at the European Southern Observatory in Santiago, and lead author of research being published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. "In the Milky Way, we can achieve extremely high resolution, but we lack a global view since we're inside it. For more distant galaxies, we can get a global view, but not the fine detail. That's why NGC 253 is such a perfect target: it acts as a bridge between the ultra-detailed studies of the Milky Way and the large-scale studies of more distant galaxies. It gives us a rare opportunity to connect the small-scale physics with the big-picture view," Congiu said. Sculptor is about 11 million light-years from Earth, making it one of the closest big galaxies to the Milky Way. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km). Like the Milky Way, it is a barred spiral galaxy, meaning it has an elongated structure extending from its nucleus, with spiral arms extending from the ends of the bar. Its diameter of about 88,000 light-years is similar to the Milky Way's, as is its total mass. One major difference is Sculptor's rate of new star formation, estimated to be two to three times greater than that of the Milky Way. Nearly 30% of this star formation is happening near the galaxy's nucleus in what is called a starburst region, as revealed in colorful emissions shown in the new image. The observations have given information on a wide range of properties such as the motion, age and chemical composition of stars and the movement of interstellar gas, an important component of any galaxy. "Since the light from stars is typically bluer if the stars are young or redder if the stars are old, having thousands of colors lets us learn a lot about what stars and populations of stars exist in the galaxy," said astronomer Kathryn Kreckel of Heidelberg University in Germany, a study co-author. "Similarly for the gas, it glows in specific bright emission lines at very specific colors, and tells us about the different elements that exist in the gas, and what is causing it to glow," Kreckel said. The initial research being published from the observations involves planetary nebulae, which are luminous clouds of gas and dust expelled by certain dying stars. Despite their name, they have nothing to do with planets. These nebulae can help astronomers measure the precise distances of faraway galaxies. The researchers marveled at the scientific and aesthetic value of the new view of Sculptor. "I personally find these images amazing," Congiu said. "What amazes me the most is that every time I look at them, I notice something new - another nebula, a splash of unexpected color or some subtle structure that hints at the incredible physics behind it all."
Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Zooming into the stars: Most vivid image of the Sculptor Galaxy revealed
The space is vast and empty, but it is also full of wonderful objects and colourful celestial bodies that look unreal. For years, astronomers have been capturing stunning images of galaxies around us, and now they have clicked one of the most detailed and colourful pictures of a galaxy. Located around 11 million light years away from Earth, the Sculptor galaxy, also known as NGC 253, has a similar shape, size and mass to that of our very own Milky Way. Enrico Congiu, a researcher at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) who led a new Astronomy & Astrophysics study on Sculptor, said that the galaxy 'is close enough that we can resolve its internal structure and study its building blocks with incredible detail, but at the same time, big enough that we can still see it as a whole system.' To generate this detailed map of the Sculptor Galaxy, researchers said they observed it for more than 50 hours using the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope. They then stitched together more than 100 exposures to cover an area that spans 65,000 light years wide. A galaxy's building blocks, which consist of stars, gas and dust, emit light in different colours. And while normal images of a galaxy only contain a handful of colours, the new ultra-detailed picture of the Sculptor galaxy has thousands of colours. ESO says that this 'tells astronomers everything they need to know about the stars, gas and dust within, such as their age, composition and motion.' Researchers say the image is so detailed that astronomers can zoom into it to study 'individual regions where stars form at nearly the scale of individual stars, but we can also zoom out to study the galaxy as a whole.' As it turns out, the detailed image of the Sculptor galaxy has already helped astronomers spot 500 new planetary nebulae and observe shells of gas and dust that are emitted by stars after they die and are on the verge of becoming a red giant. These planetary nebulae can help us verify the distance to the Galaxy, which is an important piece of information on which the rest of the studies of the galaxy depend. Astronomers say they will now use the detailed map of the Sculptor galaxy to see how gas flows and changes its composition to form stars. The Sculptor galaxy has already been observed several times, with one of the most detailed observations recorded by the Hubble Space Telescope back in 1998. Like our neighbouring Andromeda galaxy, it is super bright and huge and can be easily spotted using binoculars in ideal conditions.
