What did scientist learn from studying Supernova 1987A?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SN_1987A
See the fourth paragraph under Neutrino emissions.
Scientists have learned several important things from studying Supernova 1987A, which was a powerful explosion of a massive star that occurred in 1987. Here are some of the key findings:
1. Confirmation of core-collapse supernovae: Supernova 1987A provided strong evidence for the core-collapse theory of supernovae. This theory suggests that massive stars end their lives in a dramatic collapse of their cores, which leads to a powerful explosion.
How scientists found out: By studying the light emitted by Supernova 1987A, researchers observed the characteristic signatures of a core-collapse supernova, such as the release of neutrinos, the formation of a shockwave, and the subsequent expansion of the ejected material.
2. Neutrino detection: For the first time, scientists detected a significant number of neutrinos from a supernova. Neutrinos are elusive subatomic particles that are produced during core-collapse events. This finding opened up a new way of studying supernovae and confirmed theoretical predictions about neutrino emissions.
How scientists found out: Neutrinos were recorded by three different neutrino detectors located in Japan, the United States, and Russia. The detection of neutrinos arrived at Earth three hours before the visible light from the supernova, providing early warning and demonstrating the tremendous potential of neutrino astronomy.
3. Probing stellar evolution: Supernova 1987A allowed scientists to study the evolution of massive stars in detail. By comparing observations of the pre-explosion star with the remnant of the explosion, astronomers gained insights into the different stages of a star's life cycle.
How scientists found out: Prior to the explosion, the progenitor star of Supernova 1987A had been studied extensively. By comparing these pre-explosion data with post-explosion observations, scientists could analyze how the explosion transformed the star and provided crucial information about stellar evolution.
4. Dust formation: The explosion of Supernova 1987A witnessed the creation of a significant amount of dust. Dust particles are crucial building blocks for planets and are often formed in the remnants of supernova explosions. This discovery gave scientists valuable insights into the origin and distribution of cosmic dust.
How scientists found out: Observations made by various telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope, revealed the presence of newly formed dust in the expanding debris of the supernova. The dust particles were found to be composed of heavy elements, which confirmed theoretical predictions about dust nucleation in supernova remnants.
In summary, studying Supernova 1987A provided confirmation of core-collapse supernovae, offered insights into neutrino emissions, deepened our understanding of stellar evolution, and shed light on the formation of cosmic dust. These findings significantly enhanced our knowledge of the life cycles of massive stars and the dynamics of supernova explosions.