undefined

An artist’s impression of a supernova explosion. Until now, stellar explosions have been considered singular events. Illustration: Courtesy of the European Southern Observatory/M. Kornmesser.

Star has exploded in ‘fatal’ supernovae multiple times since 1954 – and is the first star astronomers have witnessed doing so

Astronomers have spotted a “zombie star” that refused to die when massive explosions that are normally considered fatal rocked the heavenly body.

The star, which lies half a billion light years away in the constellation of the Great Bear, has exploded multiple times since 1954, but may finally be on its way to the cosmic graveyard.

It is the first time astronomers have seen the same star explode over and over. Until now stellar explosions, or supernovae, have been considered singular events, the dazzling death throes of stars that have burned up all their fuel.

 

See full text