Supernovae

Supernovae is plural for multiple supernova. A supernova is an explosion of a very large star. In other words, they are exploding stars. This happens at the final stages of a stars evolution. This explosion allows them to exist with about 10^20 times as much energy (What). There are no supernovae in the Milky Way, but only in other galaxies. One of the only supernova that has been seen in our galaxy was by Johannes Kepler in 1572 and 1604 (What). Even if there was supernovae in our galaxy, no one would likely see it with the naked eye. The materials that are blasted in supernovae are known as the supernovae remnants. These remnants can emit an x-ray light when a reverse shock acts on it (Supernova). This reverse shock wave is measured at 1000 times the speed of sound and it heats the remnant. The heat produced heats gases that causes it to fluoresce and emit an x-ray light. This process is very similar to lighting fluorescent light bulbs in a home. Tycho Brahe witnessed this in 1572 and it is known today as Tycho’s supernova. He also charted the position of hundreds and hundreds of stars. He is the reason why we know that stars are only temporary. This supernova he witnessed is quite amazing. At its brightest, it rivaled Venus before fading from sight a light year later (Supernova). Supernovae produce so much energy that for a short time the star shined as bright as its entire home galaxy (Schneider). Supernovae are also referred to as being the “stellar equivalent of atomic bombs-gargantuan explosions” (Schneider). This book also describes the two different types of supernovae. One type occurs when the white dwarf star lets in so much hydrogen that its core just explodes. The other type is where the core of a red supergiant star explodes. This explosion unleashes a very violent shock wave that blasts away the surrounding cloud of gas (Schneider). Even though it is very unlikely to see a supernova with the naked eye, there are telescopes that allow you to be able to see these bright lights. Supernovae are produced from two different types of stars: massive stars and very old stars. There are also two types of supernovae which includes Type I and Type II. Type II is due to a very strong presence of hydrogen in the stars spectra (What). Because Type I does not have a presence of hydrogen, they are referred to as the old stars whereas Type II is referred to as the massive stars (What). There are sub classifications for Type I because scientists realized that these stars had different features. There are consequences when supernovae explode. The explosions have a great impact on its surrounding in the galaxy. These explosions release new elements that linger in the gaseous medium which in time enriches it. The stars that form after the supernova contain heavier elements. A long time ago this happened in the Milky Way. The star contained heavier elements and many at that. It existed to give rise to life and that is how the earth was formed (What). If it wasn’t for a supernova, we wouldn’t be here today. Works Cited Schneider, Howard, and Sandy Wood. "Novae, Supernovae, & Black Holes." Backyard Guide to the Night Sky. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2009. N. pag. Print. "Supernova sheds new light." Science Scope Jan. 2014: 6. Student Resources in Context. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. "What Are Supernovae?" What Are Supernovae? N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.