[Sticks]

From BBC News Online

A massive star about 150 times the size of the Sun exploded in what could be a long-sought new type of supernova, Nasa scientists have said.

Supernovae occur when huge, mature stars effectively run out of fuel and collapse in on themselves.

But scientists believe this one was obliterated in an explosion which blasted all its material into space.

I wonder how many of you did a double take at the thread title, like I did at the headline

[J.C.]

I imagine this was the biggest explosion ever seen. The part I can't quite get my head around is that this happened some number of light years away, and so am I right in saying that the actual explosion happened a number of million Years ago ?? and if so presumably we have no idea what the results of this explosion look like and nor will we for a few more million years. But is that right.? If it is then in some ways we do travel back in time, albeit through distance photography.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Sticks

I wonder how many of you did a double take at the thread title, like I did at the headline [/i]

I sure did!

[Mark]

Yep, the explosion happened 240million years ago and emitted the light, and we only just recieved it a few days ago.

Really hard to imagine how that works, but its fascinating.

I love reading about space and things outside our world. The other day I read an article by NASA saying they are in a dilemma with the new proposed missions to Mars. Its a 3 year round trip to Mars, but they need to work out what to do if a) an astronaut becomes ill or life threating ill during the trip - they can't abort the mission really. and b) these men and women are healthy fit people... how will they 'cope' for 3 years in space without their partners etc (if you know what I mean! )

- Mark

[MarkWaldorf]

I thought a celebrity had blown up from the title LOL

[James]

Did you know that all the elements that make up the world, and everything in it including us, that are heavier than iron were created during supernova explosions like this one, billions of years ago? And all the elements heavier than oxygen were created in stars during their lifetimes and released by supernova explosions.

As the Moby song goes, 'We are all made of stars'.

[Sticks]

this is a good astronomy site I go to

[ben_evans_07]

thats very intresting to hear about wonder why know one saw or heard anything

[CassetteFinger]

wow i was thinking what star has died in an explosion very interesting.