New type of supernova discovered

Astronomers have discovered a new type of supernova.

Until now there have been two classes of supernovas known, both are extremely luminous events that cause a burst of radiation that can outshine a whole galaxy. A core-collapse supernova is the explosion of a star about 10 to 100 times as massive as the Sun. A Type Ia, or thermal runaway supernova, occurs in binary systems, with one star being a tiny white dwarf, when material from the parent star streams onto its surface resulting in a runaway fusion reaction and complete destruction of the white dwarf.

The new class of supernova, called a Type Iax, is fainter and less energetic than Type Ia. Although both varieties come from exploding white dwarfs, Type Iax supernovas may not completely destroy the white dwarf.

By: Jenny Winder, SEN.com, Edited by: Kadhim Shubber

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via Wired.co.uk



http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-03/28/new-supernova-type