KSN 2011d Shock Breakout (image)

University of Maryland

Caption

The diagram illustrates the brightness of a supernova event relative to the sun as the supernova unfolds over time. For the first time, a supernova shock wave, or shock breakout, has been observed in visible light wavelengths as it reached the surface of the star from deep within the star's core. The explosive death of this star, called KSN 2011d, reached its maximum brightness in about 14 days. The shock breakout itself lasted only about 20 minutes (see inset).

Credit

NASA Ames/W. Stenzel

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