rare Early Light from Supernova Explosion Captured by VLT Telescope
Chile – April 22, 2024 – Astronomers have, for the first time, observed the initial phase of a supernova explosion, providing unprecedented insight into the death of a massive star. The event, designated SN 2024ggi, was initially detected on April 10, 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). Within 26 hours, a team utilized the Very large Telescope (VLT) in Chile to study the explosion’s earliest stages.
SN 2024ggi occurred in galaxy NGC 3621, located approximately 22 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra. The progenitor star is estimated to have been 12-15 times the mass of our Sun.
Supernovas result from the collapse of a star’s core when outward radiation pressure from nuclear fusion can no longer counteract gravity. This collapse triggers a powerful shock wave that ultimately explodes the star. While the sudden brightening of a supernova is well-documented, the formation and propagation of these shock waves remain a key area of study.
Using spectropolarimetry with the FORS2 instrument – the only such facility in the Southern Hemisphere – VLT scientists discovered the initial light from SN 2024ggi was not emitted uniformly. Data revealed an elongated shock wave, resembling an olive, indicating the explosion was not perfectly spherical. This shape persisted as the hydrogen-rich outer layers became visible around day 10, suggesting a stable explosion direction from the outset.
This observation is expected to refine existing supernova models and enhance understanding of massive star destruction.
