No X rays from SN 2014J
Explanation:
Last January, telescopes in observatories around planet Earth
were eagerly used to watch the rise of SN 2014J,
a bright
supernova in nearby galaxy M82.
Still, the most important observations may have been from orbit
where the
Chandra X-ray Observatory
saw
nothing.
Identified as a
Type Ia
supernova, the explosion of
SN2014J was thought to be triggered
by the buildup of mass on a white dwarf star steadily
accreting material from a companion star.
That model predicts X-rays would be generated
when the supernova blastwave struck the material
left surrounding the white dwarf.
But no X-rays were seen from the supernova.
The mostly blank close-ups centered on the
supernova's position are shown
in the before and after inset panels of
Chandra's false color
X-ray image of
the M82 galaxy.
The stunning
lack of X-rays
from SN 2014J will require astronomers to explore other models
to explain what triggers these
cosmic explosions.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
