How Supernovae Look Like in Binary Systems

NASA's latest Image of the Day is indeed an interesting sight. It is a snapshot from a computer model showing a binary system, made up of a blue stars (right) and a massive, red super-giant companion. The left star is caught here in the process of going supernova.

According to the model, the massive explosion took place after the massive star transferred the equivalent of ten solar masses of hydrogen gas to its companion. This transfer also accounts for why the star to the right looks so young.

Stars generally appear blue in the first millions of years of life, and then progressively change color. Yet, they can appear rejuvenated – like this one does – if they accrete significant amounts of matter from their companions.

This is precisely what is caught capturing here. The intense radiation coming from the blue star is caused by the matter falling through its surface. Hydrogen gas is heated to millions of degrees, releasing vast volumes of radiations.