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Credit & Copyright: NASA,
ESA,
Hubble;
Data: S. A. Rodney (U. South Carolina)
et al.;
Image Processing:
J. DePasquale
(STScI)
Explanation:
We've seen this same supernova three times -- when will we see it a fourth?
When a distant star explodes in a
supernova,
we're lucky if we see it even once.
In the case of AT 2016jka ("SN Requiem"),
because the exploding star happened to be lined up behind the center of a
galaxy cluster (MACS J0138 in this case),
a comparison of
Hubble Space Telescope images demonstrate that we saw it three times.
These three supernova images are highlighted in circles
near the bottom of the left frame taken in 2016.
On the right frame, taken in 2019, the circles are empty
because all three images of the single supernova had faded.
Computer modeling of the cluster lens,
however, indicates that a fourth image of the same
supernova
should eventually appear in the upper circle on the right image.
But when?
The best
models predict
this will happen in
2037,
but this date is uncertain by about two years because of
ambiguities in the mass distribution of the
cluster lens and the brightness history of the
stellar explosion.
With refined
predictions and vigilant monitoring,
Earthlings living 16 years from now may be able to catch this fourth image --
and perhaps learn more about both galaxy clusters and supernovas at once.
Discovery + Outreach:
Graduate student research position open for APOD
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: supernova - gravitational lens
Publications with words: supernova - gravitational lens
See also:
- APOD: 2023 October 11 Á NGC 1097: Spiral Galaxy with Supernova
- Galaxy Cluster Abell 370 and Beyond
- Webb's First Deep Field
- APOD: 2023 July 9 Á Doomed Star Eta Carinae
- APOD: 2023 May 22 Á Supernova Discovered in Nearby Spiral Galaxy M101
- APOD: 2023 January 18 Á MACS0647: Gravitational Lensing of the Early Universe by Webb
- Supernova Cannon Expels Pulsar J0002