Can some supernovas explode twice? Yes, when the first explosion acts like a detonator for the second. This is a leading hypothesis for the cause of supernova remnant (SNR) 0509-67.5. In this
two-star system, gravity causes the larger and fluffier star to give up mass to a smaller and denser white dwarf companion. Eventually the white dwarf‘s near-surface temperature goes so high that it explodes, creating a shock wave that goes both out and in — and so triggers a full Type Ia supernova near the center. Recent images of the SNR 0509-67.5 system, like the featured image from the
Very Large Telescope in Chile, show two shells with radii and compositions consistent with the double detonation hypothesis. This system, SNR 0509-67.5 is also famous for two standing mysteries: why its bright supernova wasn’t noted 400 years ago, and why no visible companion star remains.
A Double Detonation Supernova
Image Credit:
ESO,
P. Das et al.;
Background stars
(NASA/Hubble): K. Noll et al.
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