white flare of light at left gives rise to spiral jet going off to the right

Stellar Science

Astronomers Find a Brilliant Explosion That Just Keeps On Exploding

A brilliant flash of blue light briefly outshined its host galaxy before fading away — but then it exploded again and again, shedding light on the nature of its source.

Supernova in a box in galaxy cluster

Stellar Science

Hubble Spies Supernova in Early Universe

Archival Hubble Space Telescope images taken more than a decade ago have revealed an ancient star in the act of exploding.

A Worthy Challenge in Orion

Milky Way

Supernovae Swept Out Barnard's Loop in Orion

Astronomers have mapped Orion in 3D to understand the origin of the large arc of Barnard’s Loop — and you can interact with the 3D image!

Cocooned jets

Stellar Science

Cocoons Around Dying Stars Could Explain New Type of Stellar Explosions

A recently discovered type of stellar explosion might fit right in among the spectrum from regular supernovae to massive gamma-ray bursts.

Flame Nebula

Stellar Science

The Flames of Orion and a Supergiant Star's End

Astronomers watch starbirth and stardeath, capturing a unique view of a stellar nursery and witnessing a supergiant's supernova.

Compact object emits jets and ring of light in artist's concept of a supernova dubbed

Black Holes

Stellar Remnant at the Core of Mysterious Flash Dubbed "The Cow"

Astronomers have identified the origin of a mysterious flash that occurred three years ago.

Superbubble in the Milky Way

Stellar Science

Supernova Blasts Hollowed Out "Giant Cavity" in Space

Some 10 million years ago, dying stars cleared a giant cavity in space and ultimately inspired a new generation of star formation.

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Stellar Science

Two New Beasts for an Explosive Zoo

And that makes three: Astronomers are beginning to understand what may be causing a special kind of flare in the distant universe.

Explore the Night with Bob King

Supernovae Light Up in M61 and NGC 3643

Two new supernovae for amateur telescopes are keeping things lively this month.

Brightest supernova

Stellar Science

Astronomers Detect One of the Most Luminous Supernovae Ever

One of the most luminous supernovae ever discovered provides evidence that such extremely bright explosions require exotic sources.

Location of AT2018cow

Stellar Science

Celestial Event Dubbed "The Cow" Puzzles Astronomers

Astronomers can't agree on what kind of strange stellar death created a brilliant source dubbed "the Cow."

Stellar Science

Amateur Astronomer Captures Supernova’s First Light

In 2016 an amateur astronomer was testing his camera — and captured the first flash of a supernova.

Zwicky Transient Facility first light image in Orion

Professional Telescopes

Sky-sweeping Telescope Sees First Light

The Zwicky Transient Facility has taken its first image, covering an area equivalent to 247 full Moons in a single shot. This beginning is part of an ongoing sea change in astronomy.

Celestial News & Events

Sky Surprises: New Comet ASASSN1, Nova in Scutum, and Supernova in Pisces!

Between the discovery of the new comet ASASSN1 and two stellar explosions, there's a lot happening in the sky this week. Take your telescope out and see what all the excitement's about.

Hubble observations of failed supernova

Stellar Science

Potential “Failed Supernova” Black Hole Discovered

Astronomers may have watched a star collapse directly into a black hole — minus the supernova. The failed supernova could help understand how stars die.

Stellar Science

The Resurgence of the Brightest Supernova

In 2015 ASASSN-15lh gained fame as the most luminous supernova ever discovered. Almost a year later and against all odds, the supernova has rebrightened.

Supernovae Simulations Carve Local Bubble

Stellar Science

Long-Ago Supernovae Littered Earth

Roughly 2 million years ago, as the human ancestor homo erectus was descending from the trees, two supernovae exploded nearby and showered Earth with debris.

ASASSN-15lh

Stellar Science

Brightest Supernova Baffles Astronomers

The most luminous supernova ever discovered, ASASSN-15lh, challenges a popular theory for blazingly bright exploding stars.

ASASSN-15lh finder chart

Stellar Science

The Most Luminous Supernova

Astronomers have discovered an exploding star that belongs to the "superluminous" class, and it's the most luminous one ever found.

Cosmology

GRBs: A New Standard Candle?

Astronomers might be on the brink of developing a new rung on the cosmic distance ladder.