Cool Science Stories & Research Updates | [Year]

Astronomers Detect Potential ‘Superkilnova’-A Stellar Collision Preceded by a Supernova

A groundbreaking new study suggests a rare, multi-stage cosmic event-a supernova giving birth to merging neutron stars-potentially creating a new class of stellar explosion dubbed a “superkilnova.” Simultaneously, archaeologists have uncovered a remarkably preserved fingerprint on a 2,400-year-old vessel, offering a tangible connection to the past.

Astronomers are cautiously optimistic about a newly observed event, AT2025ulz, which initially presented as a typical kilonova but later exhibited characteristics of a supernova. Kilonovae are powerful explosions resulting from the collision of two neutron stars, emitting intense gravitational waves and a unique infrared glow. Supernovae, on the othre hand, are the dramatic deaths of massive stars, responsible for seeding the universe with elements like carbon and iron.

Did you know? – neutron stars are incredibly dense; a teaspoonful would weigh billions of tons. They form from the collapsed cores of massive stars after a supernova.

Unraveling the Mystery of AT2025ulz

The event,AT2025ulz,initially captured attention due to its resemblance to a kilonova observed in 2017. However, as time progressed, its properties began to shift, aligning more closely with those of a supernova. “It wasn’t a classic supernova either,” one analyst noted, highlighting the perplexing nature of the observation.

This anomaly prompted a deeper investigation, with astronomers analyzing combined “multimessenger” data from various collaborations and telescopes. Their analysis suggests a complex sequence of events: a supernova first created twin neutron stars, which subsequently spiraled into each other and merged, resulting in a kilonova.

Pro tip – “Multimessenger astronomy” combines data from different sources-like light,gravitational waves,and neutrinos-to get a more complete picture of cosmic events.

The distinctive infrared signature of kilonovae-brighter in infrared than visible light-is attributed to the presence of heavy elements in the ejected debris. These elements block visible light while allowing infrared light to pass through.This characteristic helped differentiate AT2025ulz from other stellar events.

The Need for Further Confirmation

Despite the compelling evidence, researchers emphasize that definitive confirmation requires further observation. “The evidence isn’t quite strong enough to claim this is what definitely happened,” a senior official stated. Astronomers are actively searching for additional “superkilnova” events to validate their findings and refine their understanding of these complex cosmic phenomena. The research was published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters in 2025 (DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae2000).

Reader question – What other types of cosmic events might produce unexpected combinations of signals, challenging our current understanding of the universe?

A Fingerprint Across Millennia

Turning to Earth’s history, a remarkable archaeological discovery has provided a direct link to an ancient seafarer. In the 4th century BCE, an invading force of approximately four boats attacked an island off the coast of Denmark. The islanders successfully defended their home, sinking one of the enemy vessels-the Hjortspring boat-into a bog, where it remained remarkably preserved for over two millennia.

Archaeologists, upon recent analysis, were astonished to uncover an intact human fingerprint embedded in the tar used to waterproof the vessel. The fingerprint offers a poignant and intimate connection to the individual who worked on the boat over 2,400 years ago. The findings were detailed in a paper published in the journal PLoS ONE.

The discovery underscores the power