New Insights Help Shed Light On Star's Death That Created Kepler's Super Nova 13
skade88 writes "Wired has a good article that covers the origins of the white dwarf super nova Johannes Kepler observed in 1604. From the article: 'Up until now, it was unclear what lead to the star's explosion. New Chandra data suggests that, at least in the case of Kepler's remnant, the white dwarf grabbed material from its companion star. The disk-shaped structure seen near the center suggests that the supernova explosion hit a ring of gas and dust that would have formed, like water circling a drain, as the white dwarf sucked material away from its neighbor. In addition, magnesium is not an element formed in great abundances during Type 1a supernovas, suggesting it came from the companion star. Whether or not Kepler's supernova is a typical case remains to be seen. '"
It's a story of greed (Score:1)
One of the 2 starts got a bit too greedy and bit more than it could chew. It's the ironic Universal response to this type of behaviour.
for a moment I read... (Score:2)
Those Imperials will stop at nothing to destroy those Rebel scum.
Re:for a moment I read... (Score:4, Funny)
Yep, that's how I read it too. That the Death Star created a supernova. I was going to point out that, no, the Death Star only destroyed planets; it was the *Sun Crusher* that created super novas. Yes, I am a huge nerd. >.>
Supernova is one word, not two. (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
And Another Cool Picture ... (Score:5, Interesting)
This stuff just fascinates me. I've known about Keppler's Supernova for years, but this is interesting new info. I'm gonna have to see where magnesium fits in stellar nucleosynthesis.
The Great Observatories Program is finding all sorts of cool stuff. :)
Here's another good picture: Cassiopeia A. The Chandra Observatory analyzed that supernova remnant and determined that the star literally blew itself inside out.
http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2012/casa/ [harvard.edu]
I just love science on Slashdot (Score:1)
6 posts:
One post about real science
One grammar nazi
Four lame attempts at humor.
That about sums it up for Slashdot. Around here, if science can't be used to bash religion than there's nothing left to discuss.
Re: (Score:1)
You forgot someone bitching about how slashdot has changed!
universe of mostly random debris (Score:2)
we're just nova and supernova ash pondering the cycles of novas and supernovas
Did the other star survive? (Score:3)