Scientists Confirm Tycho's Supernova As Explosion Of White Dwarf Star

By: Jennifer Hong
Staff Writer
Published: Dec 3, 2008

Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe analyzed a new strange light from the heavens more than 400 years ago. Scientists now say they can unveil just what he saw. The light came from a supernova explosion.

Scientists think they have solved the mystery of strange light that astronomers witnessed more than 400 years ago. It was a self-destructed star that created a supernova. Not just any supernova, but a steller ember called a white dwarf that exploded.

On November 11, 1572, Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe witnessed a new strange light shining from the heavens. The 16th century astronomer was astonished to see what he thought was a brilliant new star in the constellation Cassiopeia.

A new study confirms that the strange light was a thermonuclear explosion of a white dwarf star with a nearby companion. The light eventually became as bright as Venus and could be seen for two weeks during daylight hours. It disappeared after 16 months.

Brahe documented with accuracy that unlike the moon and the planets, the light's position did not move in relation to the stars. That meant it was far away and beyond our moon. This was a problem with current established wisdom for that time. Most astronomers during that time believed that the distant heavens were perfect and unchanging. It was a time before telescopes were even invented.

The light event gave Brahe an inspiration to commit himself further into his studies. He launched a career of meticulous observations that helped lay the foundations of early modern astronomy.

The light from the supernova swept past Earth a long time ago. However, some of it struck dust clouds in space which caused them to brighten.