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Simulation of the density profile of a 1 solar mass main sequence star (just like the sun) after shock wave passage from a Type Ia supernova (which "went off" above the top of the image). This is a fairly late time picture, perhaps a day or so after the explosion. The blue colors represent the density of the "core" of the main sequence star, green is less dense material from the envelope, yellow is material being stripped from the envelope, red is the background density after the supernova shock has passed.
Observed in nearby galaxies at a rate of more than one per week, these titanic events release immense amounts of energy that can temporarily rival that of their host galaxy. "A supernova releases as much kinetic energy as the sun will radiate over its entire lifetime," said Hoffman. "They are the best bang since the big one." |
