Supernova - the Birth of One is Spotted

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In summary, an amateur astronomer, Victor Buso, made a groundbreaking discovery when he captured images of a supernova's "shock breakout" phase, a phenomenon that had previously only been predicted by computer models. This discovery was reported in the journal Nature and has been hailed as a landmark for astronomy. The images were also featured in various newspapers and publications, demonstrating the importance and impact of Buso's find.
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Tom.G
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An amateur astronomer was testing a new camera and spotted it. Originally posted in Nature. (paywall, but you can capture some images from the page)
http://nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nature25151

His discovery, reported Wednesday in the journal Nature, is a landmark for astronomy. Buso’s images are the first to capture the brief “shock breakout” phase of a supernova, when a wave of energy rolls from a star’s core to its exterior just before the star explodes. Computer models had suggested the existence of this phase, but no one had witnessed it.

Above quote from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ientist-had-ever-seen/?utm_term=.5d7443f35cd4
 
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Wow. Talk about looking at the right place at the right time with the right equipment...
 
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1. What exactly is a supernova?

A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs at the end of a star's life cycle. It is caused by the collapse of the star's core, resulting in a massive release of energy and the ejection of outer layers of the star into space.

2. How are supernovae classified?

Supernovae are classified based on their spectral lines, which indicate the elements present in the explosion. The two main types are Type I, which lack hydrogen in their spectra, and Type II, which have prominent hydrogen lines.

3. How often do supernovae occur?

On average, a supernova occurs about once every 50 years in a galaxy the size of the Milky Way. However, they are more common in smaller galaxies and can occur multiple times in a single year in some cases.

4. Can a supernova affect Earth?

A supernova would have to be relatively close to Earth to have any significant impact. The closest known supernova to Earth occurred about 330 years ago and was still too far away to cause any major effects. However, a nearby supernova could potentially disrupt the Earth's ozone layer and cause an increase in cosmic rays.

5. What can we learn from studying supernovae?

Studying supernovae can give us valuable insights into the life cycles of stars and the processes that occur within them. They also provide evidence for the existence of dark matter and dark energy. Additionally, supernovae can serve as important distance markers in the universe, helping us understand the scale and expansion of the universe.

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