Physicist identifies mysterious core left by exploding star
5 Nov 2009, 1358 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Washington, November 5 A physicist from the University of Alberta in Canada has identified a mysterious core left by an exploding star.

The physicist in question is University of Alberta physics professor Craig Heinke.

A supernova (or exploding star), 20 times heavier than our sun blasted apart, leaving behind a small core that has puzzled astronomers since its discovery in 1999.

Heinke and a colleague have identified the 20 kilometre-wide remnant of the supernova as a neutron star.

It's the youngest neutron star ever identified, and its atmosphere, a thin layer of carbon, is one of a kind.

The supernova event that created the core happened just 330 years ago.

Heinke describes the core as being in its infancy compared to the much older neutron stars scientists have studied.

Because of this discovery, researchers now have access to the complete life cycle of a supernova, and will learn more about the role exploding stars play in the makeup of the universe.

Most minerals found on Earth are the products of supernovae.

"This discovery helps us understand how neutron stars are born in violent supernova explosions," said Heinke.

"This neutron star was born so hot that nuclear fusion happened on its surface, producing a carbon atmosphere just 10 centimeters thick," he added. (ANI)

Related Latest

Direct link between insulin, core body temperature discovered Infrared image of circumstellar disk illuminates massive star formation process Clarke to lead Australians against All Star Team Orissa identifies fishermen missing in Cyclone Phyan Ireland brands French star Henry a 'hand of god' cheat after loss Ryan O'Neal happy to be left out of Farrah Fawcett's will Veteran-wrestling star attacked during press conference Mysterious 'dark flow' may be sign of neighboring universe Fiery Buddha takes on Mamata at Left Front rally Controversial star athlete Caster Semenya talks about life amidst gender row

Related Latest

Sarah Palin's book selling like hot cakes CIA chief meets Narayanan Extinction rates higher in open-ocean settings during mass wipeouts Freddie Mercury to be honoured by west London neighbours Cheryl Cole lands own TV show Online dating sites hurting Australian sex industry Flax and yellow flowers can produce bioethanol New method to measure snow, soil moisture with GPS may benefit climate modelers Musharraf ordered 35 bulletproof Mercedes from Japan to safeguard his ministers, bureaucrats Langer asks 'fantastic" Hughes to ignore critics and play his natural game

• Sarah Palin's book selling like hot cakes
• New method to measure snow, soil moisture with GPS may benefit climate modelers
• CIA chief meets Narayanan
• Extinction rates higher in open-ocean settings during mass wipeouts
• Cheryl Cole lands own TV show

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights