Type Iax supernova

A type Iax supernova is a rare subtype of type Ia supernova, which leaves behind a remnant star, known as zombie star, rather than completely dispersing the white dwarf.[1][2][3][4][5] Type Iax supernovae are similar to type Ia, but have a lower ejection velocity and lower luminosity.[6] Type Iax supernovae may occur at a rate between 5 and 30 percent of the Ia supernova rate. As of October 2014, thirty supernovae had been identified in this category.[7]

In a binary system consisting of a white dwarf and a companion star, the white dwarf strips away material from its companion. Normally the white dwarf would eventually reach a critical mass, and fusion reactions would make it explode and completely dissipate it, but in a Type Iax supernova, only a part of the dwarf's mass is lost.[8]

The two inset images show before-and-after images captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope of Supernova 2012Z in the spiral galaxy NGC 1309. The white X at the top of the main image marks the location of the supernova in the galaxy.
  1. ^ Hubbard, Amy (6 August 2014). "Hubble sees 'zombie star' lurking in space: What it is, why it matters". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Hubble discovers 'zombie star' haunting the universe". CNET. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  3. ^ Weaver, Donna; Villard, Ray (6 August 2014). "NASA's Hubble Finds Supernova Star System Linked to Potential "Zombie Star"". HubbleSite – NewsCenter. NASA. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Zombie star: Hubble spots star SN 2012Z living after supernova". Slate Magazine (Video). 12 August 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  5. ^ Hauk, Alexis (6 August 2014). "Hubble Finds Supernova Star System Linked to Potential "Zombie Star"". Time Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  6. ^ McCully, Curtis; Jha, Saurabh W.; Foley, Ryan J.; Bildsten, Lars; Fong, Wen-fai; Kirshner, Robert P.; Marion, G. H.; Riess, Adam G.; Stritzinger, Maximilian D. (7 August 2014). "A luminous, blue progenitor system for the Type Iax supernova 2012Z". Nature. 512 (512): 54–56. arXiv:1408.1089. Bibcode:2014Natur.512...54M. doi:10.1038/nature13615. PMID 25100479. S2CID 4464556.
  7. ^ Feltman, Rachel. "Astronomers may have found a new zombie star". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  8. ^ Choi, Charles Quixote (6 August 2014). "Supernovas Might Create Weird 'Zombie Stars'". Space.com. Retrieved 30 October 2014.