Supernova

Supernova

Supernova is an enormous explosion which is caused when either a dead star collapses due to its own gravity or due to collision of two massive black holes. These super powerful explosions are so bright that they can over shine even an entire galaxy and its light can be seen for months. These are one of the most powerful cosmic activities and radiate more energy than the entire energy radiated by a star in its whole lifespan. The life of the luster caused by a supernova is very small as compared to the life of a star. A supernova explosion is the reason for the enormous gamma ray bursts which shoots out tiny particles and harmful electromagnetic waves, most of which is gamma ray.

There are various postulates and theories about supernova explosion, some of which are formation of neutron stars, preon stars, boson stars, strange stars and electroweak stars. These hypothetical stars have been described mainly to solve various equations of general relativity.

In some cases if a black hole blasts into a supernova then, it is postulated that the supernova can be an example of white hole because a collapsing black hole throws all its matter and energy i.e. everything that it has gathered during its lifetime. It is somewhat like running back in time. Well this is only a hypothetical comparison and doesn’t have any practical explanation.

A supernova may be the death of an already dead star but it is actually a start point of the birth of thousands of new stars and other heavenly bodies such as planets and other terrestrial bodies. When a black hole forms due to its own gravitational contraction, then, due to extreme gravitational pressure at its core, nuclear fission reaction takes place. This leads to the formation of elements heavier than helium. In this way, the core of a black hole acts as a factory for producing various elements necessary for life. This process is called supernova nucleosynthesis. The longer time these elements spend inside the core and deeper they are, they become heavier. This implies that all the elements on earth were also formed inside the core of a massive black hole which is an unimaginable fact. We all are comprised of star dust. Though these elements have been formed, even then they are of no use unless the black hole explodes into supernova and releases all its matter to initiate the formation of new solar systems.

Effects of Supernova on earth

The nearest expected supernova to our earth will be approx. 3000 light years and when it will happen then it is estimated that it would have very bad effects on our atmosphere. The gamma ray bursts from the supernova would initiate a chemical reaction in the atmosphere leading to conversion of nitrogen gas into nitrogen oxide. It will also damage the ozone layer up to such an extent that it ultraviolet and x-ray radiations from sun will easily penetrate inside the atmosphere and devastate the life on earth. There are evidences that this cosmic activity has caused mass extinction once in the history of earth.
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