Indian scientists are studying a supernova that is extraordinarily bright, hydrogen-deficient, and rapidly evolving. It is powered by energy borrowed from a rare type of neutron star with a tremendous magnetic field.
According to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), a detailed analysis of such ancient spatial objects can contribute to uncovering the mysteries of the early universe.
Supernovae (SNe) are highly energetic explosions of ‘dead stars’ that occur across the universe.
Superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) are extremely rare among them.
This is due to the fact that they usually come from huge stars (the minimum mass limit is more than 25 times that of the sun). There aren’t many of them in our galaxy or nearby ones.
Because their underlying sources are unknown and their extremely high peak luminosity is uncertain, these ancient objects are among the least understood SNe, according to the DST.
The SNe appeared to be very similar to other objects in the field.
It turned out to be a very blue object once the brightness was measured, reflecting its brighter character.
The scientists used special arrangements at India’s newly commissioned Devasthal Optical Telescope as well as two other Indian telescopes, the Sampurnanand Telescope and the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, to observe it.
The study headed by a Ph.D. student working under SB Pandey was published in the Monthly notice of the Royal Astronomical Society. The study suggested that its power could be a strange type of neutron star with a highly powerful magnetic field. The magnetic field is 3.6-7.2 times the mass of the sun.
More investigations will give us an explored physical mechanisms, possible progenitors, and environments hosting such rare explosions.
