Goal 6: Anticipate threats with science and technology: Achievement 7

ACHIEVEMENT

Mysterious supernova behavior explicated by Lab team

A Laboratory astrophysicist and colleagues discovered intriguing evidence from a superbright supernova observed last year—evidence that might explain the mysterious double flash exhibited by such events.

Last year's supernova was exceptionally energetic, arriving with a flash 100 times brighter than typical.

According to the researchers, there is evidence that the star expelled lobes of relatively cool gas before it exploded. Material from the primary supernova explosion that followed (flash number one) then collided with the lobes, violently heating them (flash number two).