supernova
Latest about supernova
![An artist’s rendition of a red supergiant star transitioning into a Type II supernova, emitting a violent eruption of radiation and gas on its dying breath before collapsing and exploding.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TBSKPv9Pz3DB7ohFUSvpYf-320-80.png)
Scientists watched a star explode in real time for the first time ever
By Brandon Specktor published
Scientists watched a red supergiant star go supernova in real time, and it was far more violent than they were expecting.
![The Taurus and Perseus molecular clouds are split by a giant 'cavity' likely created by an ancient supernova, new research shows.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JtnXhoySDMiRXAKB7yfNEV-320-80.jpeg)
Astronomers discover enormous 'cavity' in the Milky Way being masked by a cosmic illusion
By Brandon Specktor published
Astronomers discover that two large clouds of gas in the Taurus and Perseus constellations are separated by a 500 light-year-long 'cavity', thanks to an ancient supernova.
![Gamma rays (magenta) blast out of the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant in this composite satellite image. New research suggests the most mysterious gamma-ray bursts in the universe may form in a similar way.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/va3diSY85vYL6ekUvcgsrH-320-80.jpeg)
Scientists finally have an explanation for the most energetic explosions in the universe
By Brandon Specktor published
Mysterious 'empty sky' gamma-ray bursts could be the work of distant supernova explosions, a new model suggests.
![The remnants of the oldest documented supernova, which Chinese astronomers documented in A.D. 185 (not the supernova of A.D. 1181)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LMiTe7tSH7rB4JbcTTz2V4-320-80.jpeg)
Nearly 900 years ago, astronomers spotted a strange, bright light in the sky. We finally know what caused it.
By Yasemin Saplakoglu published
In the 12th century, Chinese and Japanese astronomers spotted a supernova in the sky shining as brightly as Saturn.
![Two Hubble images show the galaxy cluster MACS J0138. In the 2016 image, light from the ancient Supernova Requiem appears in three different spots simultaneously on the edge of the cluster (circled in white). In the 2019 image, they are gone.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eV28au9mekAmFji8rurQSD-320-80.png)
A 10 billion-year-old supernova will soon replay before our eyes, new dark matter study predicts
By Brandon Specktor published
Scientists predict that an ancient supernova will reappear in the sky for a 4th time in the year 2037, thanks to the meddling influence of dark matter.
![Three bright dots capturing the same event were observed in Hubble Space Telescope images in 2016 but disappeared by 2019.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SzWwfhA59SXSn63s3kqPkN-320-80.jpg)
Distant 'Requiem' supernova will be visible again in 2037, astronomers predict
By Tereza Pultarova published
A distant supernova previously imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope will be visible again from Earth and surrounding space in 2037, astronomers predict.
![This artist’s illustration shows a compact object (a black hole or neutron star) at the core of its massive stellar companion. Rapid accretion onto the compact object has caused it to form an accretion disk and launch a pair of jets at nearly the speed of light. Those jets have tunneled through the star, which is about to explode in a supernova due to the enormous amount of energy released. In the next few years, the exploded stellar material will plow its way through a dense torus of stellar material ejected by the compact object during its previous centuries of inspiral toward the core, creating a luminous radio afterglow.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U9BAhFnSfsXWacs4ayxQ4K-320-80.jpeg)
Dead stars crashing into live stars may trigger a new type of supernova
By Charles Q. Choi published
Astronomers have uncovered evidence of explosions triggered by dead stars ramming into live stars, possible proof of a new type of supernova, a new study finds.
![A white dwarf star hurtling through the Milky Way could have survived a cataclysmic supernova (depicted in this illustration).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PjWEpvcVvEjdKodhtbgnoc-320-80.jpg)
Runaway star caught streaking across Milky Way at 2 million mph ... in the wrong direction
By Charlie Wood published
Astronomers say a weird star careening through the Milky Way could have survived the explosive powers of a supernova.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.