The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
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White Dwarf "Sibling Rivalry" Explodes into Supernova

  • This artist's conception shows two white dwarf stars spiraling in toward each other until they collide. A collision like this is believed to have spawned supernova 2006gz.

    This artist's conception shows two white dwarf stars spiraling in toward each other until they collide. A collision like this is believed to have spawned supernova 2006gz.

    NASA/Dana Berry, Sky Works Digital

    Low Resolution Image

  • Supernova 2006gz, marked in this photo, shows the strongest evidence yet that it was caused by the merger of two white dwarfs. It was located in spiral galaxy IC 1277, located approximately 300 million light-years away in the constellation Hercules.

    Supernova 2006gz, marked in this photo, shows the strongest evidence yet that it was caused by the merger of two white dwarfs. It was located in spiral galaxy IC 1277, located approximately 300 million light-years away in the constellation Hercules.

    J.L. Prieto & M. Hicken (CfA)

    Low Resolution Image