Historical & modern

observations of supernovae

Jasmin & Nicole Kesselring

Death of a star

Two mechanisms:1. Thermonulear Supernova:

Mass less then 8 sun masses Type 1a Supernova

2. Core Collapse Supernova:Mass min. 8 sun masses super dense objekts

What is a supernova?

written down seen with the naked eye paintings compared the brightness

History of supernova observation

History of supernova observationSN 185 SN 1006

1572; Tycho Brahe◦ De nova et nullius aevi memoria prius visa stella (Latin for

"Concerning the new and previously unseen star")

1604; Kepler◦ De Stella nova in pede Serpentarii (Latin for "On the new star in

Ophiuchus's foot", “)

History of supernova observation

Tycho Brahe supernovaremnant

Change of brightness◦ Brightness of 10 billion suns◦ Energy output of 1044 jouls

How do we observe?

SN 1994D

Spectroscopy◦ Each atom has its own

spectrum ◦ Passive observation technique

How do we observe?

Spectroscopy of Supernovae◦ Contains hydrogenType 2◦ OtherwiseType 1

How do we observe?

X-rays ◦ X-ray burst at the beginning of a supernova

Neutrinos ◦ Supernova Early Warning System (Neutrinotelescopes)

Gamma-ray burst (GRB)

How do we observe?