Astronomers have spotted a fascinating supernova explosion that signals not just the end of a massive star but possibly the start of two black holes. This event, called SN 2022esa, was observed using advanced telescopes—the 8.2-meter Subaru telescope in Hawaii and the Seimei telescope in Japan.
Researchers found that this supernova likely resulted from a “Wolf-Rayet star,” an evolved star known for its intense brightness and heat. SN 2022esa is located about 320 million light-years from Earth in the galaxy 2MFGC 13525.
Interestingly, the supernova showed a consistent pattern over about a month. The team believes this indicates periodic eruptions occurring roughly every year before the final explosion. Such predictability suggests that the star was in a binary system, meaning it was paired with either a black hole or another massive star that could one day explode as well.
Team leader Keiichi Maeda from Kyoto University noted, “Understanding the life cycles of massive stars and their transitions to black holes is crucial in astronomy.” Their research sheds light on how these binaries might form.
By combining resources from different telescopes, the team capitalized on unique strengths. The Seimei telescope offers quick responses, while Subaru excels in sensitivity. This collaboration could lead to more exciting discoveries about supernovae and cosmic explosions.
Recent surveys show that more astronomers are looking into binary black holes. A report from the International Astronomical Union finds that the number of identified binary black holes has surged by over 50% in the last decade. This growing trend highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in studying the universe.
As the team continues its work, Maeda expressed optimism about future findings: “We expect many interesting discoveries on the nature of astronomical transients and explosions like supernova.” Their study, published in Physical Review Letters, marks a significant step toward unraveling the mysteries of our universe.
