Astronomers Make First Radio Detection of Rare Supernova Type, Revealing Secrets of Stellar Death

Astronomers using the U.S. National Science Foundation Very Large Array (NSF VLA)  have made an unprecedented discovery, capturing the first-ever radio signals from a rare class of stellar explosion known as a Type Ibn supernova. This achievement brings fresh insight into the death throes of massive stars and provides a rare glimpse into the final years of a star’s life, previously hidden from view.

Astronomers Find Evidence for Most Powerful Pulsar in Distant Galaxy

Astronomers using data from the VLA Sky Survey have discovered one of the youngest known neutron stars — possibly as young as only 14 years. The dense remnant of a supernova explosion was revealed when bright radio emission powered by the pulsar’s powerful magnetic field emerged from behind a thick shell of debris from the explosion.

Stellar Collision Triggers Supernova Explosion

The Very Large Array Sky Survey gave astronomers the first clue that ultimately revealed a dramatic story — the remnant of a star that exploded long ago had plunged into the core of its companion star causing it, too, to explode as a supernova.

Astronomers Discover New Class of Cosmic Explosions

Analysis of two cosmic explosions indicates to astronomers that the pair, along with a puzzling blast from 2018, constitute a new type of event, with similarities to some supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, but also with significant differences.