Title: Astronomers Discover “Missing Link” Connecting Supernova to Black Hole or Neutron Star Birth
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified a rare “missing link” that bridges the gap between the demise of a massive star and the formation of a black hole or neutron star. Two teams of scientists utilized the power of the Very Large Telescope and the New Technology Telescope to analyze the wreckage of supernova SN 2022jli located in the NGC 157 galaxy, situated an astonishing 75 million light-years away.
What fascinated scientists the most was the unusual behavior of SN 2022jli. The supernova’s brightness exhibited regular fluctuations, resembling a rhythmic “jumping” motion occurring every 12 Earth days. This peculiar phenomenon suggests the presence of either a black hole or a neutron star within the supernova wreckage.
This groundbreaking discovery marks the first time astronomers have detected repeated periodic oscillations in a supernova light curve, offering new insights into the evolution of massive stars. Researchers believe that the presence of a companion star alongside the exploded massive star is responsible for the mysterious oscillation behavior observed in SN 2022jli.
To further solidify their findings, astronomers analyzed additional observations and noticed periodic movements in hydrogen gas, as well as bursts of high-energy light. These additional indicators provide further support for the presence of a black hole or neutron star in the SN 2022jli system.
While astronomers are unable to directly observe the black hole or neutron star, the theft of matter and energy from the companion star offers substantial evidence of their existence. This groundbreaking discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding the complex nature of these celestial phenomena.
The SN 2022jli system continues to astound researchers and presents a wealth of unexplored mysteries to be investigated with upcoming telescopes. Scientists are hopeful that future observations and advancements in astronomical technology will shed more light on the enigmatic workings of these cosmic events.
The momentous findings of this research were presented at the American Astronomical Society meeting and have been published in two influential papers in the renowned scientific journals Nature and the Astrophysical Journal Letters. This breakthrough discovery marks a significant leap forward in our understanding of the life and death cycles of massive stars and the birth of black holes or neutron stars.
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