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What happens when a star doesn't quite explode? Astronomers studying supernova remnant Pa 30 discovered something strange—perfectly straight, firework-like filaments instead of the chaotic debris typical of stellar explosions.
This cosmic oddity turned out to be a Type Iax supernova: a "failed" explosion where a white dwarf only partially detonated, survived, and then released a powerful wind that sculpted the surrounding material into eerily organized patterns.
Through cutting-edge simulations and connections to a historical "guest star" recorded in 1181, scientists are unraveling how specific fluid dynamics kept these filaments intact for centuries.
This rare cosmic event reveals that not all stellar deaths are catastrophic—some stars go out with unexpected order and elegance.
This cosmic oddity turned out to be a Type Iax supernova: a "failed" explosion where a white dwarf only partially detonated, survived, and then released a powerful wind that sculpted the surrounding material into eerily organized patterns.
Through cutting-edge simulations and connections to a historical "guest star" recorded in 1181, scientists are unraveling how specific fluid dynamics kept these filaments intact for centuries.
This rare cosmic event reveals that not all stellar deaths are catastrophic—some stars go out with unexpected order and elegance.