A supernova, named “SN Zwicky,” has been observed by astronomers, showing up as multiple images due to a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. This observation is part of the largest ongoing survey of supernovae, contributing to our comprehension of cosmic occurrences, including dark energy, and aligning with continuous efforts to document and study explosions outside our galaxy.
A peculiar image of a supernova, an intense explosion of a star, has been captured by astronomers. The light of this explosion is so twisted by the gravity of another galaxy that it manifests as several images in the sky. This process, referred to as gravitational lensing, happens when the gravity of a dense object alters and amplifies the light from an object behind it.
Nicknamed “SN Zwicky,” the Caltech-led Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), located at the Palomar Observatory near San Diego, first spotted this supernova. This observation is integral to the biggest current survey of supernovae.
The four repeated images of SN Zwicky were observed with the highest attainable resolution at the W.M. Keck Observatory, while the surrounding area was seen at a lower resolution.
According to Ariel Goobar, the lead author of the study and the director of the Oskar Klein Center in Sweden, the unique capabilities of ZTF allowed the discovery of the phenomenon known as strong gravitational lensing related to SN Zwicky. Such lensed objects provide a distinctive opportunity to examine the quantity and distribution of matter within galaxy cores.
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Gravitational Lensing Unveiled
Albert Einstein predicted over a century ago that light from a cosmic object could undergo gravitational lensing if it encounters a dense object on its journey to us. The dense object acts as a lens, bending and focusing the light. The warping effect can differ in intensity, depending on the lens’s density and the distance to us. In cases of strong lensing, the light becomes so altered that it appears as magnified and multiplied images.
Despite observing gravitational lensing since 1919, spotting transient events like SN Zwicky, or SN 2022qmx, is challenging due to the fleeting nature of supernovae. Though lensed images of distant quasars have been spotted many times, only a few supernovae with duplicated images have been discovered.
Discovery and Examination of SN Zwicky
Ariel Goobar mentions that “SN Zwicky is the smallest resolved gravitational lens system found with optical telescopes.” The discovery and subsequent study of SN Zwicky were conducted using various astronomical facilities, revealing that the lensing was strong enough to create multiple images of the object.
Christoffer Fremling, a staff astronomer leading the ZTF supernova survey, expressed his astonishment at witnessing the lensed image of SN Zwicky.
Supernovae, Dark Energy, and Cosmic Secrets
SN Zwicky is identified as a Type Ia supernova, known for its consistent brightness across events. This characteristic was vital in uncovering the universe’s accelerating expansion due to the mysterious dark energy.
Joel Johansson, a co-author of the study, emphasizes that strongly lensed Type Ia supernovae could provide a novel opportunity to investigate dark energy. Ariel Goobar further adds that discoveries like “SN Zwickys” will contribute to unraveling the universe’s mysteries, including dark matter and expansion history.
The ZTF Bright Transient Survey
The ZTF Bright Transient Survey, responsible for discovering 7,811 confirmed supernovae to date, aims to record and classify all detectable extragalactic explosions. It currently stands as the largest and most comprehensive survey of its kind, enabling astronomers globally to explore various cosmic explosions, their frequency, and intensity.
Additional Information:
This study, funded by various organizations and foundations, utilized facilities like ZTF, the Liverpool Telescope, the Nordic Optical Telescope, the Keck Observatory, the Very Large Telescope in Chile, and the Hubble Space Telescope. Caltech’s ZTF is financed by the National Science Foundation and an international collaboration, with added support from other foundations and Caltech itself. ZTF data are managed and stored by IPAC, and NASA supports ZTF’s search for near-Earth objects through its program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about gravitational lensing
What is the supernova “SN Zwicky” and how was it observed?
SN Zwicky is a supernova that was observed to appear as multiple images due to gravitational lensing, a phenomenon where the gravity of a dense object warps and intensifies the light of an object behind it. It was initially spotted by the Caltech-led Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), and further studied using various astronomical facilities, including the W. M. Keck Observatory.
What is gravitational lensing, and how is it related to SN Zwicky?
Gravitational lensing occurs when the gravity of a dense object, like a galaxy, bends and focuses the light from an object behind it. In the case of SN Zwicky, the supernova’s light was so distorted by gravitational lensing that it appeared as multiple images in the sky.
How does the observation of SN Zwicky contribute to our understanding of the universe?
The observation of SN Zwicky contributes to understanding cosmic phenomena, including dark energy. Strongly lensed Type Ia supernovae like SN Zwicky provide a unique opportunity to probe the amount and distribution of matter in galaxies, explore the nature of dark energy, and chip away at the mysteries of the universe.
What is the ZTF Bright Transient Survey, and why is it significant?
The ZTF Bright Transient Survey is responsible for discovering and classifying extragalactic explosions, including supernovae like SN Zwicky. Being the largest and most complete survey of its kind, it enables astronomers globally to explore various cosmic explosions, their frequency, and intensity, thus contributing to the understanding of the universe.
Who funded and supported the study of SN Zwicky?
The study of SN Zwicky was funded by organizations such as the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Swedish National Science Foundation Vetenskapsrådet, the Swedish Research Council, and the European Research Council. Facilities used included ZTF, the Liverpool Telescope, and the Hubble Space Telescope, among others. Additional support came from the Heising–Simons Foundation, Caltech, and the National Science Foundation.
How does the discovery of SN Zwicky help in understanding dark energy?
SN Zwicky is classified as a Type Ia supernova, known for its consistent brightness across events. Observing more of such strongly lensed supernovae will give researchers an unprecedented chance to explore the nature of dark energy, a mysterious phenomenon responsible for the universe’s accelerated expansion.
More about gravitational lensing
- Nature Astronomy
- Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF)
- W. M. Keck Observatory
- Hubble Space Telescope
- Palomar Observatory
- European Research Council
- Swedish Research Council
- Very Large Telescope in Chile
- Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
6 comments
supernova, dark energy, gravitational lensing – so much to take in. Feels like the more we discover, the more there is to learn. science is a never-ending journey, so cool.
i cant believe they can observe such details with telescopes, the SN Zwicky sounds like a massive discovery. Dark energy is a mystery that needs exploring more.
Gravitational lensing is a real proof of Einstein’s theory. It’s amazing to think that he was right more than 100 years ago. Science never ceases to amaze me, its like magic but real.
This reminds me of sci-fi movies! The pictures must be incredible, wish there were some included in the article. Would love to see them, its like something from another world.
Wow this is mind-blowing stuff. Gravitational lensing is so fascinating, how it can warp light to creat multiple images. the universe is full of surprises!!
supernova, dark energy, gravitational lensing – so much to take in. Feels like the more we discover, the more there is to learn. science is a never-ending journey, so cool.