Astronomers have obtained the first compelling visual evidence confirming the double-detonation theory of Type Ia supernovae, where a white dwarf star explodes twice in rapid succession. Using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT), researchers captured images of the supernova remnant SNR 0509-67.5, located approximately 400 years old, revealing two concentric rings indicative of two separate explosions. The initial blast is attributed to helium buildup on the white dwarf's surface, followed by a second detonation that completely destroyed the star. This discovery provides tangible proof for a long-debated hypothesis about the mechanisms behind certain supernovae and offers new insights into cosmic phenomena that contribute to elements such as iron in the universe. The images and data mark a milestone in understanding stellar death and the complex processes involved in supernova explosions.
This is NGC 1309, located about 100 million light-years away in the constellation Eridanus. It has captured the attention of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope multiple times due to two remarkable supernovae: SN 2002fk in 2002 and SN 2012Z in 2012. SN 2002fk was a textbook https://t.co/xVfTDfZCk6
How did two Pritzkers—JB and Penny—get obsessed with quantum computing, a technology so complex even the savviest struggle to grasp it? It’s a mix of deep faith in the tech’s potential—and FOMO. https://t.co/1ZNo1aaFGW
Pacific Northwest tech pioneers team up in quantum realms and on the space frontier https://t.co/aPCwIZUyTO