A compact “cosmic bomb,” spiraling deep into the core of another star, has created supernova VT 1210 + 4956, sending extremely powerful radio signals to Earth’s observatories.
According to Sci-News, theoretical astronomers had predicted this event, but this is the first time a telescope has captured such a spectacular moment.
VT 1210 + 4956 was previously a binary system, consisting of a star and a neutron star, or a small black hole. This small neutron star or black hole acted like a “terrifying cosmic virus,” attacking its companion star by penetrating its layers and reaching the core, ultimately leading to an explosion.
Strange supernova recently discovered through unexpected radio signals – (Photo: VLASS).
As a result, the companion star exploded into a supernova, emitting powerful radio waves. These radio signals were collected by the VLA telescope of the NSF (located in New Mexico) through the VLASS radio sky mapping program.
The research team, led by astronomer Dillon Dong from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech – USA), also utilized the Keck Observatory’s Keck telescope (located in Hawaii) to gain more insights into the brilliant radio signal burst and trace the cause of the explosion.
Neutron stars or black holes are typically remnants of a supernova – the final product when a star dies and collapses multiple times. They are known as some of the most aggressive objects in the universe, but an attack like this on the companion star is an extremely rare phenomenon.
It is estimated that it penetrated the atmosphere of the companion star around 300 years ago. Upon reaching the core of the star, it disrupted the nuclear fusion reactions that generate the energy necessary to prevent the star’s core from collapsing under its own gravity. This disruption caused the explosion.
After the supernova, what remains will be either another black hole or a neutron star.
This research has recently been published in the journal Science.
