Astronomers Puzzled by “Double-Detonation” Supernova That Ignored cosmic Rules
A recent study published in Nature Astronomy has revealed a peculiar supernova, designated SNR 0509-67.5, that defies current astrophysical models. This “double-detonation” event, observed by the Very Large Telescope (VLT), occurred when a white dwarf star exploded before reaching the Chandrasekhar limit, a critical mass threshold typically required for such powerful stellar explosions.
The phenomenon began with an initial explosion triggered by the accumulation of helium around the white dwarf, creating a shockwave. This was followed by a more powerful explosion at the star’s core. This sequence of events, especially the premature explosion, has captured the attention of astronomers worldwide. SNR 0509-67.5 is expected to become a notable subject of study, offering valuable insights into the complex processes of supernovae and their impact on the universe.
The image accompanying this report showcases the double-detonation supernova SNR 0509-67.5 as observed by the VLT. the background stars in the image were captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.
