The 2023 observation of supernova SN 2023ixf in the Pinwheel galaxy provided a distinct opportunity to study cosmic ray production, but the predicted gamma rays were not spotted by NASAs Fermi Telescope, showing much lower energy conversion rates than anticipated. Credit: NASAObservations of SN 2023ixf in 2023 led to unexpected findings concerning cosmic ray production by supernovae, with potential ramifications for understanding cosmic ray origins and acceleration mechanisms.In 2023, a neighboring supernova provided astrophysicists an excellent opportunity to test ideas about how these types of explosions enhance particles, called cosmic rays, to near light-speed. Credit: Hiramatsu et al. 2023/Sebastian Gomez (STScI)Supernovae As Cosmic Ray AcceleratorsAstrophysicists have actually long thought supernovae of being leading cosmic ray contributors.These explosions take place when a star at least 8 times the Suns mass runs out of fuel. Out to ranges of around 32 million light-years, a supernova happens, on average, simply when a year.After a month of observations, beginning when visible light telescopes initially saw SN 2023ixf, Fermi had not spotted gamma rays.Challenges and Future Research”Unfortunately, seeing no gamma rays doesnt suggest there are no cosmic rays,” stated co-author Matthieu Renaud, an astrophysicist at the Montpellier Universe and Particles Laboratory, part of the National Center for Scientific Research in France. “We have to go through all the underlying hypotheses relating to velocity mechanisms and ecological conditions in order to convert the lack of gamma rays into an upper limit for cosmic ray production.
The 2023 observation of supernova SN 2023ixf in the Pinwheel galaxy offered an unique possibility to study cosmic ray production, but the anticipated gamma rays were not discovered by NASAs Fermi Telescope, indicating much lower energy conversion rates than prepared for. Credit: NASAObservations of SN 2023ixf in 2023 led to surprising findings relating to cosmic ray production by supernovae, with prospective implications for comprehending cosmic ray origins and velocity mechanisms.In 2023, a neighboring supernova used astrophysicists an outstanding opportunity to evaluate ideas about how these types of surges boost particles, called cosmic rays, to near light-speed. Credit: Hiramatsu et al. 2023/Sebastian Gomez (STScI)Supernovae As Cosmic Ray AcceleratorsAstrophysicists have long presumed supernovae of being top cosmic ray contributors.These surges happen when a star at least eight times the Suns mass runs out of fuel.