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Brightest Supernova Discovered

Maggie McKee writes "Astronomers have spotted the brightest supernova ever seen — it is intrinsically two to three times brighter than any previously recorded. It has many characteristics of a type Ia explosion, but has hydrogen in its spectrum, unlike other type Ia's. That suggests that this supernova resulted from the collision of two stars — most likely a white dwarf and a red giant — rather than from an exploding white dwarf. If so, it might affect the interpretation of previous cosmological studies that depend on type Ia 'standard candle' observations, like dark energy. But other astronomers say merger-triggered explosions are probably rare and therefore won't throw a wrench in the works."

5 of 63 comments (clear)

  1. WARNING! by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 2, Funny

    Do not look into the supernova with your remaining eye!

    (theres a lot of bright shiney things around at the moment, I'm surprised anyone can see anything at all)

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
    1. Re:WARNING! by Ceriel+Nosforit · · Score: 3, Funny
      (theres a lot of bright shiney things around at the moment, I'm surprised anyone can see anything at all)

      Those are the LED lights on your computer. The stars and such are Outside. You know, outside; where the bears are.
      --
      All rites reversed 2010
  2. TCP/IP over supernova by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    someone write it up

  3. If it was so bright by Evets · · Score: 2, Funny

    If it was so bright, how come nobody ever saw it before?

  4. Re:Book by AddressException · · Score: 2, Funny
    I learned a lot from it about novas.
    ...except how to pluralize "nova" ;)