Astronomers Discover Hidden Geometry of Supernova SN 2024ggi

Astronomers have unveiled the hidden geometry of supernova SN 2024ggi, a discovery made possible through rapid observations with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. This supernova was first detected on April 10, 2024, in the galaxy NGC 3621, located about 22 million light-years away.

Lead author Yi Yang from Tsinghua University in Beijing initiated the observation request just 12 hours after the discovery, resulting in VLT observations by April 11. The observations captured the moment when the explosion's material accelerated through the star's surface, providing a unique opportunity to study the star's shape before it fully exploded.

Dietrich Baade, an ESO astronomer, noted that the observations allowed scientists to see both the geometry of the star and the explosion simultaneously. SN 2024ggi was identified as a red supergiant star with a mass between 12 and 15 times that of the Sun, and its explosive end is a vital area of research for understanding the lifecycle of massive stars.

The process begins when a star exhausts its nuclear fuel, leading to a collapse of the gravitational balance, followed by a rebound that generates a shock wave. This shock wave ultimately results in the visible supernova.

Scientists employed a technique called spectropolarimetry to decode the explosion's geometry, revealing that the material's initial shape resembled an olive. As the explosion expanded, its shape became flatter, although the symmetry axis remained consistent.

These findings suggest a common physical mechanism behind the explosions of many massive stars, highlighting a well-defined axial symmetry. Co-author Lifan Wang from Texas A&M University emphasized that spectropolarimetry provides insights into the explosion’s geometry that other observation methods cannot.

The collaborative effort across multiple institutions and countries underscores the importance of global cooperation in advancing our understanding of cosmic phenomena. The significance of this discovery extends beyond mere observation; it reshapes our understanding of stellar explosions and the underlying physics that govern them.

The research team included members from various esteemed institutions and was published in Science Advances. This groundbreaking work demonstrates how curiosity and collaboration can lead to profound insights into the universe's workings.