One supernova seen thrice in a photo clicked by JWST because of a quirk in spacetime
Supernova seen three times
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured something remarkable - one supernova seen three times because of a twist in spacetime. This phenomenon is known as gravitational lensing.
Light gets bent in certain regions of spacetime because of the mass of massive cosmic structures like black holes and even clusters of galaxies. These areas are called gravitational lenses. Like regular lenses bring farther objects closer to us, something similar happens in this case as well.
The gravitational lens in this case was because of a collection of galaxies in the constellation Ursa Major. The galaxy cluster is named PLCK G165.7+67.0, or G165. The collective gravitational heft of these galaxies bends and focuses the light from more distant sources.
“To achieve three images, the light travelled along three different paths. Since each path had a different length, and light travelled at the same speed, the supernova was imaged in this Webb observation at three different times during its explosion,” said Brenda Frye, study co-author and an astronomer at the University of Arizona.
Also Read:Major solar storm incoming! Sun releases extremely powerful flare
Only some parts of the research have been published and an upcoming paper on the supernova is currently hosted on the preprint server arXiv.
)
Matchbox miracle: Telangana weaver gifts 5.5-metre silk saree that fits inside a matchbox to Goddess Bharamaraba at Srisailam temple | VIDEO
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter jets leave exhaust pipes raw compared to US jets
)
Hormuz crisis has clear winners and losers: Here's who's cashing in from the oil crisis
)
US nuclear fuel company counters BARC’s safety concerns over thorium fuel for reactors: More details inside
)
‘Justice has finally been served': Meloni reacts as Italy's apex court upholds life sentences in Saman Abbas honour killing case
)
Amid spate of resignations at ISRO, Govt places curbs on quitters
)
Video shows cargo ship that left India sinking in Strait of Hormuz, link with war unclear
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'He may die...': Delhi HC wants Indian govt's response in plea seeking to 'force feed' Sonam Wangchuk; BIG hearing today
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: Is it worth the upgrade?
)
Woman arrested for sexually harassing men in Istanbul, is referred to a health facility. 'Why were the men outside?'
)
Argentina's racism problem: How football chants reflect a deeper historical legacy
)
Lebanon arrests alleged Israeli spy accused of betraying, exposing Hezbollah leaders
)
PM Modi prevented nuclear attack on Ukraine in 2022? Poland minister makes BIG claims about Putin's plans, Indian PM's role
)
Bangladesh seizes $6.2 billion in assets linked to Sheikh Hasina amid return speculation
)
'We screwed up...': JD Vance admits Trump administration botched Epstein files release
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many tires does a B-52 bomber have?
)
'I requested...': Trump taken to Walter Reed hospital amid Iran strikes? What we know
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are the B-52 bomber's tyres different from those on most aircraft?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How much does a single S-400 missile cost?
)
'Are you Muslim?': Indian man stabbed 15 times in US after being asked about religion
)
11C in 6 minutes: 'Tsunami cloud' slams French beach, wind speeds touch 100 kmph
)
'Targeting Iran's military capabilities': US launches fresh strikes as explosions rock Ahvaz, Chabahar
)
'Monster fish' 20 times their original size are swarming Scottish lochs
)
'Iran only understands force': US senator backs Trump as IRGC vows 'severest blows'
)
Americans need to prove they are American citizens to visit a national park in US
)
Argentina beat England 2-1 in second semifinal, book final berth against Spain
)
US missiles strike near Iran children's cancer hospital; mass evacuations underway
)
Trump says Iran allowed detained US citizen to leave country. This is what we know
)
Balochistan independence movement grows | Activist claims Pak has lost control over 85% territory
)
'Where is he?': US flags at half-mast day after Trump's sudden hospital visit sparks speculations: Real reason is...
)
Bihar man visits bank to withdraw Rs 1100, finds Rs 7596951951 in his account - What happened next
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike enters 18th day: Anurag Kashyap, Omi Vaidya, Swara Bhaskar and other celebrities extend support to the activist
)
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seen in Tehran memorial after report claimed IRGC put him under house arrest
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why does the B-52 bomber still use eight engines?
Gravitational lens and the supernova
These regions bend the lights from extremely distant objects in space, making it easier to see them from Earth. Since they are situated millions of miles away from Earth, they are also like ancient relics residing in the cosmos.
Researchers noticed that the gravitational lens in this case, magnified a supernova, that is the bright explosion linked to the death of some stars, and multiplied it in the sky.
JWST's Near-Infrared Camera (or NIRCam) captured the galaxy cluster and the supernova in March, April, and May of last year.
The galaxy cluster G165 is situated 3.6 billion light-years from Earth. However, the supernova is even more distant and hence, older.
The gravitational lens appears to have flattened the galaxy cluster and light has been warped into an arc-like shape. There are three specks of light stretched across the arc - each speck is the same supernova.
Frye compared the supernova seen three times to a person appearing three times as seen from three different angles in a three-panelled vanity mirror.
“In the trifold mirror analogy, a time-delay ensued in which the right-hand mirror depicted a person lifting a comb, the left-hand mirror showed hair being combed, and the middle mirror displayed the person putting down the comb,” Frye said.
