New study questions whether hypernovae actually exist
Researchers say the evidence for these powerful stellar blasts is thin, and may point to them never having occurred.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
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What happened
Astrophysicists have long considered hypernovae the most powerful stellar explosions, a type of core-collapse supernova. New research has now challenged the evidence supporting them. Its authors argue that hypernovae may not exist at all.
Why it matters
If hypernovae do not exist, some of the universe's most powerful explosions may never have happened. Scientists would then lose the evidence they had relied on for these events.
Timeline
- Oct 13, 5:41 PM ET: New research challenged the evidence for hypernovae and suggested they may not actually exist.
- Oct 14, 6:00 AM ET: Scientists said the evidence scientists had seen for hypernovae was suddenly gone.
Coverage
- Scientists discover that some of the universe's biggest explosions may have never happened at all (space.com)
- Hypernovae May Be All Hype, No Nova (universetoday.com)
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