This composite image of M31 (also known as the Andromeda galaxy) shows X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory in gold, optical data from the Digitized Sky Survey in light blue and infrared data from the Spitzer Space Telescope in red. The Chandra data covers only the central region of M31 as shown in the inset box for the image (roll your mouse over the image above).
New results show that the Chandra image would be about 40 times brighter than observed if Type Ia supernova in the bulge of this galaxy were triggered by material from a normal star falling onto a white dwarf star. This implies that the merger of two white dwarfs is the main trigger for Type Ia supernovas for the area observed by Chandra. Similar results for five elliptical galaxies were found.
These findings represent a major advance in understanding the origin of Type Ia supernovas, explosions that are used as cosmic mile markers to measure the accelerated expansion of the universe and study dark energy. Most scientists agree that a Type Ia supernova occurs when a white dwarf star -- a collapsed remnant of an elderly star -- exceeds its weight limit, becomes unstable and explodes. However, there is uncertainty about what pushes the white dwarf over the edge, either accretion onto the white dwarf or a merger between two white dwarfs.
A Type Ia supernova caused by accreting material produces significant X-ray emission prior to the explosion. A supernova from a merger of two white dwarfs (view animation above), on the other hand, would create significantly less. The scientists used the difference to decide between these two scenarios by examining the new Chandra data.
A third, less likely possibility is that the supernova explosion is triggered, in the accretion scenario, before the white dwarf reaches the expected mass limit. In this case, the detectable X-ray emission could be much lower than assumed for the accretion scenario. However, simulations of such explosions do not show agreement with the observed properties of Type Ia supernovas.
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Super informative
Posted by charles driver on Sunday, 11.15.15 @ 17:10pm
I am not expert, but wouldn't the total mass of the merging objects need to be less than 1.4 solar masses to prevent them collapsing into a neutron star?
Posted by ronno on Monday, 06.21.10 @ 12:25pm
I always liked astronomy. Since childhood my father would take me outside late in the night when the sky was clear to show me the stars and constellations. It was something so exotic and fascinating for me. Nowadays I practice a totally difference specialty. However, my passion for astronomy is still remains.
Thanks for this great phenomena
Posted by Zoltan on Friday, 06.18.10 @ 16:25pm
Dear Alex,
Thanks for your comments. This evidence is indirect and does not represent proof that the white dwarf merger idea dominates in elliptical galaxies, so I agree that more observational and theoretical work is needed. However, it does fit in with other pieces of indirect evidence. See the Chronicle Article at:
http://chandra.harvard.edu/chronicle/0110/type1a/index.html
P. Edmonds for CXC
Posted by P. Edmonds on Wednesday, 03.3.10 @ 10:35am
Cool, this really renews my childhood knowledge about the universe, galaxy and many more. Thanks to every individual and all that make this seen and known.
Posted by thanaporn on Sunday, 02.21.10 @ 22:54pm
Thanks for your beautiful imagination stirring pictures. So what if we can't space travel ala Star Trek with a strong imagination and intense concentration we can still be thrilled and that travels pretty far too. Fine job folks and full speed ahead.
Posted by Al Nalley on Saturday, 02.20.10 @ 17:02pm
There isn't greater than Chandra in this field, try to see and enjoy your space travel.
Posted by TONY on Saturday, 02.20.10 @ 14:30pm
Hi,
This is amazing. Great thing,
every enthusiast should be aware about it.
Posted by Dhaval on Saturday, 02.20.10 @ 00:45am
Very informative.
Posted by Ted Pringle on Friday, 02.19.10 @ 10:52am
Well, that's a bit weird. Sounds incredibly unlikely and I wouldn't say this evidence is really strong enough to draw that conclusion with particular certainty. I think we'd all like to see a lot more work done in this area which can only be a good thing. Obviously there's a long way to go before we'll know if this is right or not but it's still an interesting result.
Posted by Alex on Thursday, 02.18.10 @ 18:01pm
Hello, I like the SAO-CFA. Thank you for being alive for me to enjoy.
Posted by J. Madson on Thursday, 02.18.10 @ 17:30pm
Fascinating. Keep up the excellent work.
Posted by morty on Thursday, 02.18.10 @ 12:33pm