Colossal star explosion detected

[Sagan]

Before and after: This event was more than twice as luminous as the previous record-holding supernova

Colossal star explosion detected

By Jonathan Amos
BBC Science Correspondent

14 January 2016 Science & Environment

Astronomers have seen what could be the most powerful supernova ever detected.

The exploding star was first observed back in June last year but is still radiating vast amounts of energy.

At its peak, the event was 200 times more powerful than a typical supernova, making it shine with 570 billion times the brightness of our Sun.

Researchers think the explosion and ongoing activity have been boosted by a very dense, highly magnetised, remnant object called a magnetar.

This object, created as the supernova got going, is probably no bigger than a major city, such as London, and is likely spinning at a fantastic rate - perhaps a thousand times a second.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35315509

[Sagan]

'Most powerful supernova in human history' observed

15/01/2016 - 06:39:52

Astronomers have spotted the most powerful supernova in human history.

The record-breaking cosmic explosion was 570 billion times brighter than the sun and about 200 times more powerful than a typical supernova, scientists said.

The blast – known as ASASSN-15lh- is thought to be an example of a “superluminous supernova,” a recently-discovered type of explosion unleashed by certain stars when they die.



But space experts are at a loss about which stars might be responsible for such an extreme event.

Astronomer Subo Dong said: “ASASSN-15lh is the most powerful supernova discovered in human history.

“The explosion’s mechanism and power source remain shrouded in mystery because all known theories meet serious challenges in explaining the immense amount of energy ASASSN-15lh has radiated.

More:
http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mos...ed-715810.html