Table of Contents
Why are supernova explosions important for our existence?
Heavy elements are only produced in supernovae, so all of us carry the remnants of these distant explosions within our own bodies. Supernovae add enriching elements to space clouds of dust and gas, further interstellar diversity, and produce a shock wave that compresses clouds of gas to aid new star formation.
What type of star was supernova 1987A?
type II supernova
SN 1987A was a type II supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf satellite galaxy of the Milky Way….SN 1987A.
| Supernova 1987A is the bright star at the centre of the image, near the Tarantula nebula. | |
|---|---|
| Event type | Supernova |
| Epoch | J2000 |
| Galactic coordinates | G279.7-31.9 |
| Distance | 51.4 kpc (168,000 ly) |
When did Supernova 1987A go supernova?
February 24, 1987
On February 24, 1987, observers in the southern hemisphere saw a new object in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small satellite galaxy to the Milky Way. This was one of the brightest supernova explosions in centuries and soon became known as Supernova 1987A (SN 87A).
Why is iron significant to understanding how a supernova occurs?
Why is iron significant to understanding how a supernova occurs? Iron cannot release energy either by fission or fusion. It is produced during the supernova explosions of high-mass stars. Which two processes can generate energy to help a star maintain its internal thermal pressure?
What happens when a supernova explodes?
The collapse happens so quickly that it creates enormous shock waves that cause the outer part of the star to explode! Usually a very dense core is left behind, along with an expanding cloud of hot gas called a nebula.
What will happen if there is no supernova explosion?
If no stars were massive enough to explode, and they just cooled off instead, the universe would be a very different place indeed. The supernova explosion not only generates and ejects new elements, it also disperses all of the elements created during the life of the star. To say: Let’s a take a look at this sheet.
What are two reasons why Supernova 1987A was significant?
Supernovas such as SN 1987A can stir up the surrounding gas and trigger the formation of new stars and planets. The gas from which these stars and planets form will be enriched with elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and iron, which are the basic components of all known life.
What was so useful about supernova 1987A?
Supernova 1987A was the brightest supernova seen from Earth in the four centuries since the telescope was invented. It was the first opportunity for modern astronomers to see a supernova up close. Observations since then of Supernova 1987A have provided much insight into these fascinating objects.
Why is Supernova 1987A so important?
What made Supernova 1987A so useful?
What made supernova 1987a so useful to study? We saw direct evidence of nickel to iron decay in its light curve. In the Large Magellanic Cloud, we already knew its distance. Its progenitor had been observed previously.
Why is iron significant in our understanding of why a Type 2 supernova explodes?
Iron cannot release energy by fusion because it requires a larger input of energy than it releases. This energy blows the outer layers of the star off into space in a giant explosion called a supernova (plural: supernovae.)
Why does the presence of iron trigger a supernova quizlet?
A Type II supernova occurs when a high-mass star’s core becomes dominated by iron, halting the nuclear fusion process. The star’s core can no longer maintain equilibrium, and the core begins to contract. The gravitational compression generates heat, which initiates photodisintegration.