THUNDERBOLTS PICTURE OF THE DAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 Supernovae might not be what astrophysicists claim. Type 1A supernovae are important to astronomers for two reasons: their light-curves, or graphs of their intensity over time, are considered to be so predictable that they can be used as cosmic measuring rods, with a theoretical accuracy of 3.26 billion light years. Those measurement at such great distances can be useful in determining the so-called “expansion rate” of the Universe. Type 2 supernova, on the other hand, such as SN1993J in M81, fluctuate in luminosity to such an extent that they are not useful in the same way. Their transitory natures preclude their use as “measuring rods”.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:41:29 +0000
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