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A new method for measuring the temperature of atoms in the shock waves produced by supernova explosions has been tested in a recent study. Penn State University professor of astronomy and astrophysics David Burrows co-authored a paper based on this study, which combined observations of the remnant produced by Supernova SN1987A that made use of NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory with computer modeling of the temperature of slow-moving gas atoms surrounding the star as they are heated by the material propelled outward by the blast.

This new method made use of three-dimensional numerical simulations that accounted for the evolution of the supernova from its beginning to its current state. Comparisons of data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and computer modeling improved the accuracy of atomic temperatures of different elements with a wide range of atomic weights.

The results indicate that there is a correlation between the atomic weight of gas atoms affected by the shock wave and their resulting temperature. This new information can help scientists refine their understanding of how supernovae and especially the effects of the shock waves on surrounding matter work. Burrows said of the study’s results:

“Supernova explosions and their remnants provide cosmic laboratories that enable us to explore physics in extreme conditions that cannot be duplicated on Earth. … Modern astronomical telescopes and instrumentation, both ground-based and space-based, have allowed us to perform detailed studies of supernova remnants in our galaxy and nearby galaxies.”

Shock waves can accelerate material ejected during a supernova up to one-tenth the speed of light. The leading edge of this material, known as a shock front, can heat surrounding gas to up to millions of degrees upon impact. The heated gas can produce X-rays that are detectable by properly equipped telescopes in our solar system like the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which was launched in 1999.

Residing in the Large Magellanic Cloud, Supernova SN1987A was an especially attractive target for study because it was one of only a few supernovae that were visible to the naked eye on Earth. The previous visible supernova was Kepler’s Supernova in 1604. SN1987A is also the first visible supernova to be recorded with modern instruments, which filled in many of the blanks in scientists’ supernova models.

The study has been published in Nature Astronomy.