Hubble image archive

Scenario for Type IIb SN 1993J

This illustration shows the key steps in the evolution of a Type IIb supernova.Panel 1: Two very hot stars orbit about each other in a binary system.Panel 2: The slightly more massive member of the pair evolves into a bloated red giant and spills the hydrogen in its outer envelop...

Date
Jan 1, 2014
Mission
Hubble Space Telescope
Archive ID
hubblesite-images-2014-38-3410-image
By

This illustration shows the key steps in the evolution of a Type IIb supernova.

Panel 1: Two very hot stars orbit about each other in a binary system.

Panel 2: The slightly more massive member of the pair evolves into a bloated red giant and spills the hydrogen in its outer envelope onto the companion star.

Panel 3: The more massive star explodes as a supernova.

Panel 4: The companion star survives the explosion. Because it has locked up most of the hydrogen in the system, it is a larger and hotter star than when it was born. The fireball of the supernova fades.

Credits

NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI)

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