The universe is a very mysterious place.There are not just planets and stars in it. There are other massive sources of energy that were first discovered thanks to space exploration.A hypernova is a very rare occurrence in the universe and this explosion is still being investigated by scientists. Scientists have been trying very hard to find evidence of an event to prove that hypernovas happen. There are still theories on this matter.A hypernova is a massive source of energy that is even more powerful than a supernova. Many believe that the Big Bang took place, and the creation of our universe, due to a hypernova.If you enjoyed this article, why not also find what a lenticular galaxy is or what a meteoroid is here on Kidadl?What does hypernova mean?The universe’s most powerful explosions are called hypernovas. The brightness of a hypernova is up to 100 times greater than the explosion of a supernova. The energy involved in a hypernova is enough to obliterate the Sun by 100,000 times.If humans were able to tap into this energy and store the energy emitted from a hypernova, society would never have to worry about a power cut for billions of years. However, so far technology has not allowed scientists to capture this energy. Also, a hypernova is very rare and only happens a couple of times every few decades. A hypernova explosion is so ferocious and bright that it is unlikely scientists would miss.Since these events are so rare, astrophysicists have a very difficult time studying them and learning more about them. Scientists sometimes call a hypernova just a powerful supernova, while others believe it should be called a hypernova due to its power. There is no scientific proof about this type of explosion, and there are only theories to explain why a hypernova contains so much energy.Hypernova FeaturesWhen a supernova explosion has more energy than 10 power45 Joule, the kinetic energy becomes so large that it is no longer called a supernova. A new term has been created to describe an explosion like this, hypernova.Large amounts of nickel are ejected at an unimaginable velocity during one of these explosions. The velocity of these masses is believed to be 99% that of the speed of light. These explosions may occur due to an exploding star, so the energy correlates with gamma-ray burst.On testing, the spectrum that has been recorded shows the absence of hydrogen and helium. Instead, there was the presence of lines indicating the presence of silicon, according to the periodic table. The main lines showing absorption are very wide and the high illuminant phase is recorded. The masses ejected from one of these massive explosions definitely contains nickel. So far, these are the stable elements that have been found in a hypernova.This whole process leads to the formation of a ball that consists of pure neutrons only. This then gives it a big bounce, creating powerful explosions. A hypernova is believed to be the most powerful explosion in the universe.If the remaining core survives, a neutron star is born. If a hypernova occurred for a star that was 40 times the mass of the Sun, this ball of neutrons would be crushed too. The gravity is so powerful that it cannot survive as a neutron star. A neutron star is only created from smaller stars.If a star has a large mass and the gravitational pull is way too strong, it will all be bundled up to form a new neutron star. On the contrary, if gravity and its source of energy are unstoppable, then a new black hole is formed. This black hole is going to pull in everything around, even the light that happens to fall on it.How to spot hypernova?Spotting a hypernova is rare because it is not an event that happens all the time. This explosion is possibly one of the rarest in the universe.According to astronomers, when an explosion has more energy and involves a stellar explosion, it can be a hypernova. All these have been dated back billions of years after The Big Bang event. If the high energy involved is almost more than 10 times that of a supernova it is a hypernova. The discovery of hypernovas has also helped scientists to understand the formation of new stars.Astronomers also say that a dying star must have a size much larger than the Sun. The material collapses under the gravitational pull created due to the explosion. One star can lead to the development of many new stars in the Milky Way.If If a massive star has a large gravitational force after the explosion, there is a higher chance that it will turn into a black hole. If there are lighter elements, the star will be converted into a neutron star. There are gamma rays emissions in both cases.When scientists first started to study the composition of a star, they found that there was less iron while metals like uranium, zinc, and europium were in abundance. The giant Magellan telescope has been used to study the wavelengths that are emitted from this explosive death. They have been analyzed for gamma-ray or black hole formation.Significance Of HypernovasThe massive amounts of energy created is the main significance of hypernovas.In the Milky Way when smaller neutron stars merge, heavy elements join and they are found in large numbers. However, when gamma-ray bursts were examined this did not support the theory. Scientists began developing something new to find explanations. The only reason that could support their findings was a hypernova.High kinetic energy and the presence of heavy elements and gamma-ray bursts due to the death of a massive star all point to a hypernova.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked finding out about hypernovas, why not take a look at Cuba flag facts, or do plant cells contain Mitochondria?
The universe is a very mysterious place.
