Supernova Requiem Set to Reemerge in 2037: A Cosmic Revelation
Written on
Chapter 1: Introduction to Supernova Requiem
Supernova Requiem, initially captured by the Hubble Space Telescope five years ago, is anticipated to reappear in 2037. This reemergence may hold profound insights into the mysteries of the Universe.
A star located 10 billion light-years away from Earth once exploded in a spectacular fashion. During its journey spanning 100 million centuries, some of its emitted light encountered an immense galaxy cluster. The gravitational force of this cluster caused the light to diverge into four distinct paths, a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing, first predicted by Albert Einstein over a century ago.
In 2016, the Hubble Space Telescope detected three of these light paths from Supernova Requiem. Each light channel appeared with varying brightness and color, representing different moments post-explosion. However, the fourth light path, which takes the longest route around the cluster of galaxies—four billion light-years from Earth—has yet to reach us. This will change in 2037.
According to researchers, “It is likely a type Ia supernova—the explosion of a low-mass stellar remnant, whose light curve can be utilized for measuring cosmic distances. In archival imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope, three lensed images of the supernova have been identified…We anticipate that a fourth image will manifest near the cluster core in 2037 [with a two-year margin].”
Section 1.1: The Visibility of Supernova Requiem
This phenomenon is too faint for amateur astronomers to detect, but future telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope, should be capable of spotting this latecomer to the Supernova Requiem event.
“This new finding represents the third instance of a supernova with multiple images for which we can accurately measure the delays in arrival times. It is the most distant example, and the predicted delay is remarkably extensive. We will be able to revisit and observe the final arrival, which we expect to occur in 2037, plus or minus a couple of years,” explains Steve Rodney from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Chapter 2: Understanding Gravitational Lensing
Computer simulations of light rays navigating through concentrations of dark matter in the cluster suggest that the final light stream will reach Earth in about sixteen years. While dark matter remains invisible to us, it serves as a framework upon which galaxies and clusters are constructed.
This final stream of light traversed through the core of the cluster, winding through the densest areas of dark matter.
Section 2.1: Implications of the Fourth Light Stream
Once the fourth light stream from Supernova Requiem arrives, astronomers will be able to refine their models of the MACS J0138.0–2155 cluster. This insight will assist astrophysicists in determining the distribution of dark matter within the cluster, aiding in a better understanding of the Universe's expansion rate, which is influenced by dark energy.
“These prolonged time delays are particularly significant since they allow for precise measurement of the delay if we are patient enough to wait years, in this case, over a decade, for the last image to arrive. This provides an independent avenue to calculate the expansion rate of the Universe,” Rodney elaborates.
As large-scale sky surveys are set to commence, led by astronomers at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a myriad of previously undetected supernova eruptions are likely to be uncovered. Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and other next-gen telescopes will enable detailed study of these phenomena.
In conclusion, light from several of these supernovae will pass near gravitational wells, splitting into multiple light streams before reaching Earth. Analyzing these multiply-imaged supernovae will enhance our models of the Cosmos, offering deeper insights into the fundamental workings of the Universe.
James Maynard, the founder and publisher of The Cosmic Companion, resides in Tucson with his wife, Nicole, and their cat, Max.
Did you find this article engaging? Subscribe for updates and enjoy more content on The Cosmic Companion Network, including podcasts, weekly video series, and newsletters!