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New Insights Help Shed Light On Star's Death That Created Kepler's Super Nova

Posted by Unknown on from the very-big-boom dept.

skade88 writes "Wired has a good article that covers the origins of the white dwarf super nova Johannes Kepler observed in 1604. From the article: 'Up until now, it was unclear what lead to the star's explosion. New Chandra data suggests that, at least in the case of Kepler's remnant, the white dwarf grabbed material from its companion star. The disk-shaped structure seen near the center suggests that the supernova explosion hit a ring of gas and dust that would have formed, like water circling a drain, as the white dwarf sucked material away from its neighbor. In addition, magnesium is not an element formed in great abundances during Type 1a supernovas, suggesting it came from the companion star. Whether or not Kepler's supernova is a typical case remains to be seen. '"

13 comments

  1. It's a story of greed by roman_mir · · Score: 1

    One of the 2 starts got a bit too greedy and bit more than it could chew. It's the ironic Universal response to this type of behaviour.

    --
    You can't handle the truth.
    1. Re:It's a story of greed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's a Death Star!

  2. for a moment I read... by MrKaos · · Score: 1
    Help New Insights Shed Light On Death Star's That Created Kepler's Super Nova

    Those Imperials will stop at nothing to destroy those Rebel scum.

    --
    My ism, it's full of beliefs.
    1. Re:for a moment I read... by neminem · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yep, that's how I read it too. That the Death Star created a supernova. I was going to point out that, no, the Death Star only destroyed planets; it was the *Sun Crusher* that created super novas. Yes, I am a huge nerd. >.>

    2. Re:for a moment I read... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Huge nerd? More like Reader Of Dope Books.

  3. Supernova is one word, not two. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Supernova is a single word. Like Superman, not like super freaky. Might as well get it right.

    1. Re:Supernova is one word, not two. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Maybe he really meant Kepler's super Nova. You know, that car he pimped?

  4. And Another Cool Picture ... by smpoole7 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This stuff just fascinates me. I've known about Keppler's Supernova for years, but this is interesting new info. I'm gonna have to see where magnesium fits in stellar nucleosynthesis.

    The Great Observatories Program is finding all sorts of cool stuff. :)

    Here's another good picture: Cassiopeia A. The Chandra Observatory analyzed that supernova remnant and determined that the star literally blew itself inside out.

    http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2012/casa/

    --
    Cogito, igitur comedam pizza.
  5. I just love science on Slashdot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    6 posts:
     
    One post about real science
    One grammar nazi
    Four lame attempts at humor.
     
    That about sums it up for Slashdot. Around here, if science can't be used to bash religion than there's nothing left to discuss.

    1. Re:I just love science on Slashdot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You forgot someone bitching about how slashdot has changed!

  6. Editors by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And the past tense of "lead" is "led".
    Maybe the Web 4.0 version of Slashdot will include some editors.

  7. universe of mostly random debris by rubycodez · · Score: 1

    we're just nova and supernova ash pondering the cycles of novas and supernovas

  8. Did the other star survive? by jfdavis668 · · Score: 2

    Or did the supernova destroy the second star, too?