help

When Does a Neutron Star or Black Hole Form After a Supernova?

-- jonah | November 22, 2020

Question:

In a supernova, is the remnant neutron star/ black hole there immediately on the explosion or does it take time?

-- jonah

Answer:

A neutron star that is left-over after a supernova is actually a remnant of the massive star which went supernova. Black Hole formation during the collapse of massive stars which precedes a supernova can proceed in a couple of different ways. If the star is massive enough it can collapse directly to form a black hole without a supernova explosion in less than half a second. A black hole can also form via the collapse of a neutron star into a black hole if the neutron star accretes so much material from a nearby companion star, or merges with the companion star that it gets pushed over the neutron star mass limit and collapses to become a black hole. This process could take a long time, maybe a million years or more depending on how quickly it accretes the material. Once the neutron star is over the mass limit, which is at a mass of about 3 solar masses, the collapse to a black hole occurs in less than a second.

-- Jeff Mangum

Facebook

Twitter

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.