Supernovae and their scientific secrets

Abstract

Supernovae are the most gorgeous fireworks that people can observe in the universe. Their explosion can produce a maximum luminosity 10 billion times that of the Sun, helping scientists see farther. Type Ia supernovae can be used as a standard candle to facilitate measurement of the distance between galaxies in the universe. A supernova explosion will also propel a large number of heavy elements into interstellar space, which is a major driving force for the chemical evolution of galaxies. In addition, supernovae are crucial to the origin of elements in the Milky Way, the formation of the structure of the solar system, and the evolution of life on the Earth. The study of supernovae will further enrich our understanding of the universe and help us solve the mysteries of the expansion of the universe, the generation of heavy elements, and the origin of life. At present, scientists predict that the next supernova will explode at any time, and preparations are in progress for observing the coming supernova.

Keywords

• supernova
• standard candle
• origin of elements
• origin of life