Observations of a massive star before a supernova explosion

[aniepark]

For the first time, astronomers have been able to observe the spectacular end of a red giant in real time, witnessing the massive star’s rapid self-destruction and its “death throes” before collapsing into a Type II supernova.

Using two telescopes in Hawaii – Pan-STARRS and the WM Keck Observatory – a team of researchers from the Young Supernova Experiment (YSE) observed the red giant during its final 130 days of existence, before its supernova explosion.