According to a new theoretical study from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, “fast neutrino oscillations” could be the driving force behind why some stars explode forming supernovae at the end of their lives.
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What is it? A supernova is the explosion of a star. It is the largest explosion that takes place in space.
Where Do Supernovas Take Place? Supernovas are often seen in other galaxies. But supernovas are difficult to see in our own Milky Way galaxy because dust blocks our view.
What Causes a Supernova? A supernova happens where there is a change in the core, or center, of a star. A change can occur in two different ways.
The first type of supernova happens in binary star systems. Binary stars are two stars that orbit the same point. One of the stars, a carbon-oxygen white dwarf, steals matter from its companion star. Eventually, the white dwarf accumulates too much matter. Having too much matter causes the star to explode, resulting in a supernova.
The second type of supernova occurs at the end of a single star’s lifetime. As the star runs out of nuclear fuel, some of its mass flows into its core. Eventually, the core is so heavy that it cannot withstand its own gravitational force. The core collapses, which results in the giant explosion of a supernova. The sun is a single star, but it does not have enough mass to become a supernova.
Why Do Scientists Study Supernovas?
A supernova burns for only a short period of time, but it can tell scientists a lot about the universe. One kind of supernova has shown scientists that we live in an expanding universe, one that is growing at an ever increasing rate.
Supernovas play a key role in distributing elements throughout the universe. When the star explodes, it shoots elements and debris into space. These elements travel on to form new stars, planets and everything else in the universe.
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