Supernovae

Basics

Type I Supernova occur in

binary stars. Binary stars
are made up of a white dwarf
and another star orbiting
closely together. The white
dwarf star’s gravitational
pull gradually draws mass the
mass from the larger star.
When it is 1.4 times that of
the sun it collapses and
explodes.

Type II supernovae usually

History
The first supernova sighting ever
recorded was in 185 A.D. Chinese
astronomers were star gazing, and
witnessed a bright light emerging
from the white-specked blackness
above. These astronomers were the
first known spectators of a giant
exploding star.
occur when a single star
burns out and its core
quickly collapses and then
explodes. This star is
usually a lot more massive
than the sun. When it
explodes it releases
tremendous energy and
electromagnetic radiation.

The Results/Importance of Supernovae

A small, dense neutron star;

A black hole;
All of the heavier elements such as
iron, gold, and uranium, on Earth and
in objects out side of the solar
system;
High-energy cosmic waves, which most
likely get their energy from the
Supernova’s vast, powerful magnetic
field;
Neutrinos;
Electromagnetic Radiation; or
Nothing at all
 Current Events

On November 14, 2006, the

largest supernova ever
recorded (SN 2006gy) was
detected by NASA’s orbiting
Chandra X-Ray Observatory and
as well as ground-based
telescopes.

In November, 2008, 14-year-

old Caroline Moore of upstate
New York became the youngest
person ever recorded to
Additional Information discover a supernova.

There are many interesting aspects to

supernovae, despite the fact that they are
enormous exploding stars. For instance, it is
believed that some supernovae create many of the
heavier elements, such as iron, gold, and
uranium, that are found both on Earth and in
objects outside the solar system. Also, high-
energy cosmic waves originate from supernovae.
It is thought that these waves get their energy
from vast, powerful magnetic fields surrounding
the remnants of the explosions.

Information Bibliography

http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2007/sn2006gy/
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l2/
supernovae.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/space/
theoriginsoftheuniverserev3.shtml
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/09/26/supernova/
index.html
http://www.gemini.edu/node/11226
https://www.llnl.gov/str/Guidestr.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18523377
http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/supernova_worldbook.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610154505.htm
http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/cosmicrays/crsuper.html Picture Bibliography

http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2005/tycho/tycho_hand.jpg
http://media.smithsonianmag.com/images/505*506/black-hole-Hubble-telescope-520.jpg
Caroline MacLeod
http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/upload/2010/02/the_greatest_story_ever_told_-/
and
p2673_467b467cc3e7ac9d44e6282b5446f302supernova.jpg
Emma Pidden
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/supernovae-gallery/#cynus-
loop_911_600x450.jpg