X-ray & Optical Images of SNR E0519-69.0 - When a massive star exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy to the Milky Way, it left behind an expanding shell of debris called SNR 0519-69.0. Here, multimillion degree gas is seen in X-rays from Chandra (blue). The outer edge of the explosion (red) and stars in the field of view are seen in visible light from Hubble.
X-ray & Optical Images of SNR E0519-69.0 - When a massive star exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy to the Milky Way, it left behind an expanding shell of debris called SNR 0519-69.0. Here, multimillion degree gas is seen in X-rays from Chandra (blue). The outer edge of the explosion (red) and stars in the field of view are seen in visible light from Hubble.

Super-Duper Novas with Michael Shara

X-ray: NASA/CXC/Rutgers/J.Hughes; Optical: NASA/STScI, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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About This Episode

When will the last supernova be? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice explore types of novas, freaky binary star systems, core collapse, standard candles, and the explosive future of Betelgeuse with astrophysicist Michael Shara.

What’s the difference between a nova and a supernova? We explore the taxonomy of stellar explosions: dwarf novae, supernovae, hypernovae, and kilonovae. How can a white dwarf explode again and again without being destroyed? Why are some stars cannibals in binary systems?

We explore neutron stars, black holes, and the deadly elegance of core collapse supernovae. What makes a pulsar pulse? Can some stars just disappear in a “dark supernova”? And what can a kilonova teach us about gold, platinum, and the origins of nitrogen in every breath we take?

Plus, when will Betelgeuse explode? What’s a standard candle? We break down this vital method of measurement for astronomers and how it works. Can a star outshine the Moon? When will the last supernova go off? What shuts down star formation in galaxies? And why are astronomers obsessively watching the star T Coronae Borealis right now? All that, and more exploding-star goodness in this stellar episode of Cosmic Queries.

Thanks to our Patrons Devon Gromko, Ron C, Blake Flynn, michelle slaughter, Mia Ham, Ryan Jacobs, Philipp Fallon, Ashley Sandfort, Sam, John Munn, Fred Rubin, TJ Kochhar, Zeraka, Jason Huddleston, Richard Ireland Jr, Judy, Darren Lawson, Bob, Rahul Phatak, Santiago Salas Ventura, Nicholas Bartlett, John D Sostrom, Byron E, Jeremy Corbello, Josh Kirkman, Daniel Carneiro, Tommyboi711, Thomas Hall, Keith Rogers, Luke Hargrett, Darren, Tassos Souris, Patrick GRindol, Erin Anthony, Duane Wolfe, PcuriousJ, Greg Gredvig, Trey Nicholson, Torsten Diekhoff, Sergiu Neacsu, Scott Woodman, FredDawg, Corey He, Kolja Milankovic, Jim Ransom, Kris Waygood, Suvi Irvine, Sarath, Cody Knotts, Jose Trejo, Lauren, Maverick91, Gloss, James, AComatoseLemur, and Ivan Dsouza for supporting us this week.

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