On October 9, 2022 Telescopes in space detected a record-breaking, brightest-ever gamma-ray burst originating from a supernova explosion 1.9 billion light-years away
Impact
The supernova caused a temporary depletion of ozonemolecules in Earth's upper atmosphere, revealing the potential influence of distant cosmic events on our planet
Limited Ozone Impact
Though ozone was temporarily destroyed for a few minutes, posing no serious threat, scientists caution that if the supernova were closer, it could have catastrophic consequences
Supernova Definition
A supernova is the most powerful explosion witnessed by humans, emanating from the dramatic demise of a massive star
Supernova Causes
One type results from the explosive demise of a massive star, fueled by the exhaustion of nuclear fuel in its core, leading to a rapid collapse and subsequent explosion
Balance of Forces
Massive stars maintain equilibrium between gravity, compressing them, and outward pressure generated by nuclear fuel burning in their cores, preventing collapse
Collapse
Nuclear fuel depletion at core of the massive stars results in gravitational collapse, creating shock waves that explode outer layers, leaving a dense core and nebula
Black Hole Formation
Supernovas from stars over 10 times the sun's mass may result in the creation of black holes, the densest objects in the universe
White Dwarf Explosion
Another type occurs in binary star systems, involving a white dwarf - the remnant of a sun-sized star - exploding due to collision or accretion of matter
Brightness of Supernovas
Supernovas can outshine entire galaxies for days or even months, making them visible across vast cosmic distances
Frequency
Relatively rare, astronomers estimate two to three supernovas per century in galaxies like the Milky Way, with hundreds observed annually outside our galaxy
Scientific Insights
Supernovas provides crucial information about the universe, helping measure cosmic distances and revealing that stars are the primary factories for creating elements essential for life