Beautiful Mach 1000 Reverse Shock Wave Emanates From Tycho’s Supernova

• Japanese X-ray satellite studies reverse shock wave

• Reverse shock wave eminates X-ray energy

Tycho Supernova’s Reverse Shock Wave
Image by YouTube

Researchers at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics studying SN 1572, also known as Tycho’s Supernova, explain that the eerily beautiful glow of Tycho’s Supernova is caused by a Mach 1000 reverse shock wave.

Before the supernova occurs, the star becomes what is known as a red “super-giant,” in which the star has used up all of its fuel, and the dense core is so compact that collapse is inevitable.  As the core collapses, it sends out the initial shockwave in which the front of the expansion interacts with the interstellar materials as it expands.  During this initial shockwave, it has been found that a reverse shock wave forms alongside, collecting materials and bringing them back towards the core.  Researchers have found that the outward shock wave travels at Mach 300, while the reverse shock wave travels at Mach 1000.  This process can last a few hundred years.

The second phase has been deemed the Sedov or Adiabatic Phase.  During this stage, the supernova has collected enough interstellar material that the materials begin to slow down and cool.  The mixing of interstellar materials and supernova remnants causes instabilities and enhances the magnetic field.  This phase can last 10,000 to 20,000 years.

In the final radiative stage, cooling is continued and electrons begin combining with heavier elements.  This phase is thought to play a major role in the creation of galaxies.

The reverse shock wave is described as working similar to a fluorescent light bulb.  As the shock wave travels at incredible speeds, it heats up materials which in turn produce electromagnetic radiation as high energy X-rays, similarly, the light bulb glows and emits visible light as it heats up.

The reverse shock of Tycho’s Supernova was studied via the X-ray satellite Suzaku.  This research is touted as the first clear example of collisionless electron heating, says the team.

For a more in depth look, see the full reading published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Tycho supernova’s reverse shock wave, video courtesy of YouTube