This artist’s illustration depicts a proposed event called a superkilonova. A massive star first erupts as a supernova, forming elements such as carbon and iron. Later, two neutron stars emerge, with at  least one smaller than the Sun. (Image: Caltech/K. Miller and R. Hurt (IPAC))
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Moneycontrol19-12-2025, 11:51

Astronomers Track Possible 'Superkilonova' Exploding Twice, Challenging Star Death Theories

  • Evidence suggests a rare 'superkilonova' event, combining supernova and kilonova, observed on August 18, 2025, named AT2025ulz.
  • Initially, the signal resembled a kilonova (neutron star collision), but later brightened, turned blue, and showed hydrogen signatures, evolving like a supernova.
  • This event, if confirmed, could be the first 'superkilonova', challenging current stellar evolution models and understanding of heavy element formation.
  • Scientists propose theories like a rapidly spinning star collapsing into two neutron cores that then collide, or a core splitting through fission.
  • Further observations are crucial to confirm if it's a single 'superkilonova' or two coincidental events, as certainty remains elusive.

Why It Matters: Possible 'superkilonova' challenges stellar death theories, demanding more research.

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