Astronomers have obtained the first photographic evidence of a rare "double detonation" Type Ia supernova, using the European Southern Observatory’s Chile-based Very Large Telescope. The image, showing two concentric shells of calcium, depicts the aftermath of a white dwarf's complete obliteration approximately 300 years after it occurred in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This discovery confirms the double detonation mechanism, where a white dwarf siphons helium from a companion star, leading to a surface detonation followed by a core detonation, and is crucial for understanding galactic chemical evolution and the formation of heavier elements.
Astronomers get picture of aftermath of a star’s double detonation for the first time
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Astronomers have obtained the first photographic evidence of a rare "double detonation" Type Ia supernova, using the European Southern Observatory’s Chile-based Very Large Telescope. The image, showing two concentric shells of calcium, depicts the aftermath of a white dwarf's complete obliteration approximately 300 years after it occurred in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This discovery confirms the double detonation mechanism, where a white dwarf siphons helium from a companion star, leading to a surface detonation followed by a core detonation, and is crucial for understanding galactic chemical evolution and the formation of heavier elements.
Trending- 1 Double detonation supernova occurred approximately 300 years ago
- 2 Astronomers obtained photographic evidence by July 2, 2025
- Confirmation of the double detonation mechanism for Type Ia supernovas
- Enhanced understanding of galactic chemical evolution and element formation
What: Astronomers obtained the first photographic evidence of a star's double detonation supernova aftermath.
When: Image obtained by July 2, 2025; explosion occurred approximately 300 years ago.
Where: Large Magellanic Cloud, constellation Dorado; observed using European Southern Observatory’s Chile-based Very Large Telescope.
Why: To understand the mechanism of Type Ia supernovas and their role in galactic chemical evolution and the formation of heavier elements.
How: Using the Very Large Telescope’s Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument to map chemical elements, revealing two concentric shells of calcium.