Thaindian News

London, May 20 (ANI): Astronomers have discovered a supernova whose origin cannot be explained by any previously known mechanism and which promises exciting new insights into stellar explosions.

SN2005E was first spotted on January 13, 2005 in the nearby galaxy NGC1032.

And since then, scientists have carried out various observations of it using different telescopes including the Keck, the world’s largest, at Mauna Kea, Hawaii.

Analysis of the collected data, theoretical modelling and interpretation led to the conclusion that SN2005E wasn’t a typical supernova.

Supernovae result from the collapse of very massive stars or by thermonuclear detonation on the surface of white dwarf stars composed mainly of carbon and oxygen.

“But this one, although it appears to be from a white dwarf system, is devoid of carbon and oxygen. Instead it’s rich in helium. It’s surprisingly different,” Nature quoted Dae-Sik Moon of the University of Toronto’s Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, as saying.

“The supernova explosion is the most energetic and brilliant event that happens in the universe. It is rich with information, not only about how stars die, but to understanding the origin of life and the expansion of the universe,” added Moon.

Most heavy elements are believed to be created in stars and spread through supernova explosions.

In addition, scientists use the brightness of supernovae to make estimates of the acceleration of the universe.

The study was published in Nature. (ANI)