News Astronomy

Wake of nearby supernova hints at explosion’s origins

Observations add fuel to the debate over what causes some cosmic blasts

BLOWING UP  New observations can’t confirm the source of type 1a supernovas. One idea suggests that the explosions are triggered when a white dwarf (right) pulls too much gas off a nearby companion (left), as seen in this artist’s illustration.

M. Weiss/CXC/NASA

By Christopher Crockett

- More than 2 years ago

Radiation pouring out of a nearby supernova is giving astronomers an in-depth look at the aftermath of a stellar explosion.