Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
last yr.

James Webb Space Telescope Discovers Neutron Star in Supernova 1987A Remnant

For the first time, scientists have found conclusive evidence of a neutron star formed from the explosion of Supernova 1987A, solving a decades-long mystery.

The James Webb Space Telescope captures the supernova 1987A.
Combination of a Hubble Space Telescope image of SN 1987A and the compact argon source. The faint blue source in the centre is the emission from the compact source detected with the JWST/NIRSpec instrument. Outside this is the stellar debris, containing most of the mass, expanding at thousands of km/second. The inner bright “string of pearls” is the gas from the outer layers of the star that was expelled about 20,000 years before the final explosion. The is the fast debris are now colliding with the ring, explaining the bright spots. Outside of the inner ring are two outer rings, presumably produced by the same process as formed the inner ring. The bright stars to the left and right of the inner ring are unrelated to the supernova. (CREDIT: Hubble Space Telescope WFPC-3/James Webb Space Telescope NIRSpec/J. Larsson)
Supernova 1987A

Overview

  • The James Webb Space Telescope detected strong evidence of a neutron star in the remnants of Supernova 1987A, a stellar explosion observed nearly 40 years ago.
  • This discovery provides direct evidence of a neutron star's formation, a phenomenon that had never been observed before.
  • Researchers found evidence of heavily ionized argon in the center of the exploded material, indicating the presence of a neutron star.
  • The discovery helps scientists understand the early stages of neutron star formation and the dispersal of elements essential for life across the universe.
  • The findings were published in the journal Science, marking a significant milestone in the study of supernovae and their aftermath.