The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered the first direct evidence of a neutron star in the remnants of the supernova SN 1987A, shedding light on the life cycle of massive stars and cosmic explosions.
The James Webb Space Telescope has identified the first direct evidence of a neutron star in the remnants of the supernova SN 1987A , providing crucial insights into the life cycle of massive stars and the nature of cosmic explosions . Credit: HST, JWST/NIRSpec, J. LarssonIn February 1987, the closest supernova to Earth in almost 400 years exploded onto the scene.
About two hours prior to the first visible-light observation of SN 1987A, three observatories around the world detected a burst of neutrinos lasting only a few seconds. The two different types of observations were linked to the same supernova event, and provided important evidence to inform the theory of how core-collapse supernovae take place. This theory included the expectation that this type of supernova would form a neutron star or a black hole.
Claes Fransson of Stockholm University, and the lead author on this study, explained: “From theoretical models of SN 1987A, the 10-second burst of neutrinos observed just before the supernova implied that a neutron star or black hole was formed in the explosion. But we have not observed any compelling signature of such a newborn object from any supernova explosion.
James Webb Space Telescope Neutron Star Supernova SN 1987A Cosmic Explosions
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