superluminous supernova tagged posts

Researchers Capture the First Example of an Extremely Bright, and Fast-Evolving Astronomical Event in the Distant Universe

The schematic light curves of MUSSES2020J and other typical energetic transients (green and orange points denote the stages that MUSSES2020J was observed by the 8.2-m Subaru and follow-up telescopes, respectively). HSC g, r, and i composite multicolor thumbnail image of the host galaxy is shown in the bottom-right corner. A blue cross indicates the location of MUSSES2020J, which is almost at the nucleus of the host galaxy. (Credit: Kavli IPMU)

A team of astronomers have discovered a mysterious short-duration astronomical event, or transient, that is as bright as a superluminous supernova, but evolving much faster, reports a study in The Astrophysical Journal Letters published on July 12.

The universe is full of energetic transient phenomena, astronomical events that occur over a sho...

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What is 10 miles across, but powers an explosion brighter than the Milky Way?

This is an artist's impression of the record-breakingly powerful, superluminous supernova ASASSN-15lh as it would appear from an exoplanet located about 10,000 light years away in the host galaxy of the supernova. Credit: Beijing Planetarium / Jin Ma

This is an artist’s impression of the record-breakingly powerful, superluminous supernova ASASSN-15lh as it would appear from an exoplanet located about 10,000 light years away in the host galaxy of the supernova. Credit: Beijing Planetarium / Jin Ma

Astronomers studying what may be the most powerful supernova ever seen, with energy of hundreds of billions of suns. At its heart is an object a little larger than 10 miles across that could be a very rare type of star called a magneta – but one so powerful that it pushes the energy limits allowed by physics. An international team of professional and amateur astronomers spotted the possible supernova, now called ASASSN-15lh, when it first flared to life in June 2015.

Krzysztof Stanek, turned to the movie This is Spinal Tap to find a way to des...

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