Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Astronomers have studied a rare “zombie” white dwarf star that survived a supernova explosion about 1,000 years ago. Despite the intense blast that should have destroyed it, the star endures within a cloud of debris.
Credit : NASA
The supernova, named SN 1181, was first documented by Chinese astronomers in 1181 when a “guest star” appeared and remained visible for six months in the constellation Cassiopeia.
Credit : NASA
Astronomer Dana Patchick confirmed the location of SN 1181 within the Pa 30 nebula, placing its eruption around 1,000 years ago. This type of supernova, classified as Type-Iax, is known for occasionally leaving behind remnants.
SN 1181’s white dwarf remains a notable rarity because Type-Ia supernovae typically result in total destruction. However, SN 1181 left behind an undead remnant — a “zombie star” that fascinates astronomers with its survival.
Using data from the Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI), scientists created a 3D model of the supernova remnant. The observations show filaments of matter racing outward without deceleration since the explosion, suggesting an unimpeded initial blast.
The remnant appears as an expanding cosmic dandelion of ejected material, giving scientists insight into the asymmetry of the supernova’s explosive process and showing unexpected patterns.
The zombie star’s surface temperature reaches approximately 360,000°F, far hotter than typical white dwarfs, and emits strong stellar winds moving at over 36 million miles per hour, indicating high activity even in its “undead” state.
The 3D imaging reveals an unusual asymmetrical shape, hinting at complexities in the original explosion. Scientists aim to understand how these dynamics influenced the white dwarf’s survival. The study was published on Oct. 24 in the Astrophysical Journal letters.
Credit : NASA