Colliding White Dwarfs May Mimic Supernovae Used to Gauge Astronomical Distances
Monday, November 9, 2009 - 09:49
in Astronomy & Space
Stellar explosions known as type Ia supernovae have proved invaluable to astrophysicists as markers of cosmic distance. Their brightness and consistency in observed properties allow astronomers to use them as "standard candles" to determine distances to objects in the sky. Just a decade ago type Ia supernovae took center stage when researchers harnessed them as evidence that the universe is accelerating in its expansion under the sway of a previously undiscovered influence known as dark energy. [More]