Rare super-luminous supernova spotted
Discovery can help probe mysteries of early universe
Shining with borrowed energy
• The extremely bright supernova shines with the energy borrowed from an exotic type of neutron star
• It was studied by scientists from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital
• The outer layers of the onion-structured supernova has peeled off and the core is shining with borrowed energy
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 10
Indian astronomers have discovered a rare and extremely bright supernova that shines with the energy borrowed from an exotic type of neutron star that can help probe the mysteries of the early universe.
Such type of ancient super-luminous spatial objects are hydrogen deficient and fast evolving and very rare because they generally originate from very massive stars having a size at least 25 times that of the sun. The number of such massive stars in our galaxy (Milky Way) or in nearby galaxies is sparse.
These ancient objects are among the least understood supernovae because their underlying sources are unclear and their extremely high peak luminosity is unexplained using the conventional power-source models.
The supernova, labelled SN-2020ank, which was first discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility in January 2020, was studied by scientists from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital. The apparent look of the SN-2020ank was very similar to other objects in the field, but once the brightness was estimated, it turned out as a very blue object reflecting its brighter character.
The research team observed it using special arrangements at India’s recently commissioned Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT), along with two other Indian telescopes: Sampurnanand Telescope and Himalayan Chandra Telescope. They found that the outer layers of the onion-structured supernova had been peeled off and the core was shining with borrowed energy.
The study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, has suggested the possibility of a powering source from an exotic type of neutron star with an ultra-powerful magnetic field having a total mass 3.6 to 7.2 times that of the sun.
The study has also established the role of DOT in exploring very rare distant super-luminous supernova in future, according to a statement issued today by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Deeper investigations could explore the underlying physical mechanisms, possible progenitors and environments hosting such rare explosions and their possible association with other energetic explosions like gamma-ray bursts and fast radio bursts, the statement added.
