All articles tagged with #stellar explosions
Astronomers have identified that luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs), including the recent bright event AT 2024wpp, are caused by a black hole tearing apart a massive star, rather than traditional supernovae, providing new insights into extreme stellar interactions and black hole formation.
Scientists have developed a new protocol using the Gran Telescopio de Canarias to identify supernovae within hours of explosion, enabling detailed early observations that can reveal crucial information about the star's structure and explosion mechanics. This method involves specific criteria to distinguish young supernovae from other transient objects, and the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory will further enhance early detection capabilities, potentially allowing routine observation of supernovae within 24 hours of explosion.
Astronomers have observed a Jupiter-sized exoplanet, HIP 67522 b, so close to its star that it triggers intense stellar flares, causing the star to erupt and potentially shrinking the planet over time, marking a first in observing a planet influencing its host star.
Astronomers have observed a Jupiter-sized exoplanet, HIP 67522 b, so close to its star that it triggers intense stellar flares, causing the star to explode and gradually strip away the planet's atmosphere, marking a new phenomenon in star-planet interactions.
Two rare classical novas, V462 Lupi and V572 Velorum, have been simultaneously visible to the naked eye in the night sky, an unprecedented event in recorded history, highlighting a rare astronomical occurrence of multiple stellar explosions occurring at once.
The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) has classified over 10,000 supernovas, marking a significant achievement in the study of cosmic explosions. Operating since 2017, ZTF has become the largest supernova surveyor, responsible for nearly two-thirds of the supernovas discovered since 2012. The facility not only detects supernovas but also classifies them, providing valuable data for understanding stellar life cycles and phenomena like dark energy. Named after astronomer Fritz Zwicky, the ZTF continues his legacy of advancing supernova science.
New research suggests that ultrapowerful plasma blades, shaped by strong magnetic fields, could slice stars in half and potentially explain some of the brightest explosions in the universe known as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). These "relativistic blades" are formed by intense bursts of radiation along the equator of magnetars, which are ultracompact objects with strong magnetic fields. The blades move outward through the star at nearly the speed of light, carrying more energy than a supernova explosion. This study demonstrates that relativistic blades could explain certain types of GRBs, and further research will explore the evolution of these blades and the resulting stellar death.
New research suggests that ultrapowerful plasma blades, shaped by strong magnetic fields, could slice stars in half, potentially explaining some of the brightest explosions in the universe known as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). These "relativistic blades" are formed by intense bursts of radiation along the equator of magnetars, which are ultracompact objects with strong magnetic fields. The blades move outward through the star at nearly the speed of light, carrying more energy than a supernova explosion. The study authors plan to further investigate the evolution of these blades and their role in stellar deaths.
A new study from the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto has developed new tools to more accurately calculate the probability of multiple radio wave bursts from similar locations, providing valuable insights into the origins and behavior of cosmic events. The study also found that some fast radio bursts (FRBs) initially thought to be isolated instances may actually be repeating but have not been observed for long enough periods to detect subsequent bursts from the source. By studying these powerful, short-lived radio signals, scientists can gain valuable insights into the complex processes that govern the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies.