A new image from the European Southern Observatory shows a view of the Cartwheel galaxy.
The two-rin shape of the Cartwheel galaxy is due to it merging with a smaller galaxy several million years ago.
Astronomers using the New Technology Telescope (NTT) in Chile took a picture of the Cartwheel galaxy in December of 2021, only to discover that a supernova had exploded in the lower left region. The bright stellar explosions that occur when massive stars reach the end of their lives can be seen for months or even years.
There are great images of star explosions.
This particular supernova appears to have happened recently. Scientists were able to compare the new images with some taken in August of last year by the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on the Very Large Telescope. The observations do not show a supernova, according to the statement.
Scientists call this stellar event a type II supernova because it features hydrogen and is caused by a large star running out of fuel and collapsing under its own gravity. When a supernova occurs, it causes a bright burst that can surpass the entire host galaxy; along with the light, the explosion also flings material across space.
Astronomers say we are all made of stardust because they sprinkle the surrounding space with heavy elements forged by the progenitor star, which may end up being part of later generations of stars, the planets around them and life that may exist in those planets.
10 Space Discoveries by the European Southern Observatory.
The stellar explosion in Cartwheel was confirmed by a few other telescopes. The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Hawaii is one of the telescopes that study objects that are only briefly visible in the sky.
The Advanced Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey for Transient Objects (ePESSTO+), a project based in Chile, contributed data to the project. Astronomers were able to confirm that the recent stellar explosion was a type II supernova because of the observations.
Follow Sam_Ashley13. You can follow us on social media.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
