We May Soon Be Able to Predict Supernovae

In the near future, astronomers may no longer have to wait constantly for stars to explode in order to observe supernova events. Researchers are now very close to developing a method of predicting which stars in a certain area are most likely to blow up.

Stellar brightness and dimness variations represent one of the most researched aspects of stars' evolution today. Studying these changes is especially important in binary systems, since researchers believe these are key to predicting supernova blasts.

An encouraging sign in this direction was provided when astronomers noticed one member of a binary system dim significantly, before its companion blew up as a supernova. A lot of work remains to be done before an early-warning technique is developed, but we may be on track still.

“Our underlying goal is to look for any kind of signature behavior that will enable us to identify stars before they explode,” Ohio State University and study coauthor Christopher Kochanek explains, quoted by Space.