IPTF14atg explained

iPTF14atg
Type:Ia
Host:IC 831
Discovery:3 May 2015
Distance:300Mly
Progenitor Type:White dwarf
Names:iPTF 14atg

iPTF14atg is a type-Ia supernova discovered on 3 May 2015. The supernova is located in galaxy IC 831, some 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on distant.[1] The supernova is thought to have ignited on May 2 or 3.[2] The supernova's shockwave slammed into a companion star, shocking it into producing an ultraviolet pulse.[3] The companion star that was hit is suspected to be a red giant star. This detection of the UV signal represents the first time the collision event of a supernova shockwave upon a companion star has been detected.[4] The supernova was discovered by the Intermediate Palomar Transient Factory (iPTF), a successor to the earlier Palomar Transient Factory, and based at the Palomar Observatory in California. The data was processed by collaborators in Europe, that lead to the supernova discovery.[3]

This single-degenerate white dwarf with normal star binary system represents one of two mechanisms for producing a type-Ia supernova, the other being double-degenerate two white dwarf binary stars.[1] [4]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Supernova hits star, results shocking . 25 May 2015 . SpaceDaily .
  2. News: Carnegie Science . Strong UV Pulse Reveals Supernova's Origin Story . 20 May 2015 .
  3. News: Supernova Collides With Its Companion Star . 20 May 2015 . .
  4. News: Caltech astronomers observe a supernova colliding with its companion star . 22 May 2015 . Space Daily .