Unraveling the story of Pa 30: the remarkable legacy of a supernova

A study has drawn attention to the nebula known as Pa 30. This nebula was formed after a supernova seen from Earth in 1181. At the center of this nebula is a white dwarf, also called a ‘zombie star’. continues to shine with impressive heat and light long after its explosive birth.

The historical context of the supernova

In August 1181, observers in East Asia spotted a bright object near the constellation Cassiopeia. This “guest star” remained visible for about six months and attracted the attention of stargazers. Recent findings have confirmed that this event was a supernova, designated SN 1181, adding a rich layer to our understanding of historical astronomical data.

What makes the zombie star so special

The white dwarf at the heart of Pa 30. This star was not completely destroyed in the supernova, but survived and burns at a temperature of about 200,000 degrees Celsius. This extreme heat makes it one of the hottest stars known to science, raising curiosity about how it managed to survive such intense conditions.

Advanced mapping techniques reveal new insights

Researchers from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii have used innovative mapping techniques to create a detailed animated visualization of the nebula. These new images show long, petal-like structures extending from the star, resembling the petals of a dandelion. The team found that the nebula is expanding at a remarkable speed of about 2.2 million miles per hour (3.5 million kilometers per hour), and has been maintaining this rapid pace since the first explosion.

The unique shape of the nebula

One of the striking features of Pa 30 is its irregular shape. Unlike many other remnants, this nebula has a distinct, asymmetrical structure. Ilaria Caiazzo, co-author of the study, noted that while this study sheds light on the supernova observed centuries ago, it also raises new questions for astronomers to investigate.