If the stars in one of these binary systems collide, or if one of the white dwarfs absorbs enough matter from the other star, the white dwarf can become a supernova. Through its Nuclear Physics program, the Department of Energy Office of Science supports research into the fundamental nature of matter. That includes how matter — including the elements — is created and the role of supernovae in that process.
In partnership with other Office of Science programs, Nuclear Physics supports projects such as SciDAC, which advances the Scientific Computing Software and Hardware Infrastructure needed for projects such as simulating supernova explosions. Researchers supported by the Office of Science are also using machine learning techniques to identify, categorize, and measure supernovae and other celestial objects that can reveal information about the structure of the universe.
Scientific terms can be confusing. DOE Explains offers straightforward explanations of key words and concepts in fundamental science. Researchers are using cutting-edge computers to build models of supernovae to understand these huge explosions.
Fast Facts A supernova occurs somewhere in the universe every 10 seconds. Astronomers and careful observers saw the supernova in the year Hester and A. Loll Arizona State University. A second type of supernova can happen in systems where two stars orbit one another and at least one of those stars is an Earth-sized white dwarf. A white dwarf is what's left after a star the size of our sun has run out of fuel.
If one white dwarf collides with another or pulls too much matter from its nearby star, the white dwarf can explode. In this illustration, a white dwarf pulls matter from a companion star. Eventually, this will cause the white dwarf to explode. Image credit: STScI. These spectacular events can be so bright that they outshine their entire galaxies for a few days or even months.
They can be seen across the universe. Not very. Astronomers believe that about two or three supernovas occur each century in galaxies like our own Milky Way.
Because the universe contains so many galaxies, astronomers observe a few hundred supernovas per year outside our galaxy. Space dust blocks our view of most of the supernovas within the Milky Way. Scientists have learned a lot about the universe by studying supernovas.
Type I supernovae: Type I supernovae typically don't leave anything behind at all: all of the star's matter, including its iron core, is blasted into space. Type II supernovae:. A neutron star A pulsar this is just a spinning neutron star, really A black hole Which is formed depends on the original mass of the star and, more importantly, the mass that's left over after the supernova.
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