Astronomers Show that Certain Explosive Star Systems May Form with Help of Third Star

Astronomers Get Picture of Aftermath of Double Detonation

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The explosion of a star, called a supernova, is an immensely violent event. It usually involves a star more than eight times the mass of our sun that exhausts its nuclear fuel and undergoes a core collapse, triggering a single powerful explosion.

Astronomers show that certain explosive star systems may form with help of third star

When white dwarfs—the hot remnants of stars like our sun—are orbited closely by another star, they sometimes steal mass away from their companion. The stolen matter builds up on the surface of the white dwarf, triggering eruptions called novae.

Astronomers find first visual proof of a star exploding twice

Stars often die with a final burst of beauty. For the first time, astronomers have captured visual proof that a star can explode not once, but twice before fading forever. Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile, a team studied the supernova remnant SNR 0509-67.5. What they found is changing what scientists know about these massive cosmic events. Priyam Das, a PhD student at the University of New South Wales Canbe…