Get the latest Science News and Discoveries

A Star Detonated as a Supernova... Twice


The beautiful supernova remnant looks a little different from other examples of stars that detonated in the past. And it should, because according to astronomers, the star that met its end exploded twice. It was a white dwarf in its former life, pulling material from a binary companion, creating the perfect conditions for a Type 1a supernova. It accumulated a blanket of helium, which exploded first, triggering a second detonation at the core of the star.

None

Get the Android app

Or read this on Universe Today

Read more on:

Photo of Supernova

Supernova

Photo of Star

Star

Related news:

News photo

A third visitor from another star is hurtling through the solar system

News photo

Rare breed of exploding star discovered by citizen scientists in cataclysmic find

News photo

A star exploded twice — First-ever image reveals its cosmic fingerprint