JWST reveals likely Type II supernova from when universe was only 2 billion years old
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have identified one of the most distant exploding stars ever confirmed. The supernova, SN 2023aeaf, was found at a redshift of 3.195—so far away that its light has been traveling for roughly 11.7 billion years. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal on Aug. 13, offers a close-up look at how massive stars die in the young universe's…
On August 13, astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope announced the discovery of a distant supernova, SN 2023aeaf. This exploding star was observed at a redshift of 3.195, meaning its light has been traveling for approximately 11.7 billion years. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, provides insight into how massive stars die in the early universe's primitive, metal-poor environment.
Type II supernovae, which occur when a massive star's iron core collapses, play a crucial role in shaping the surrounding gas cloud and influencing the formation of future stars. While much is known about recent supernovae, evidence for their behavior in the early universe is scarce due to their faintness. The JWST's exceptional sensitivity has enabled the identification of ultra-distant supernova candidates through deep imaging surveys.
In this particular case, SN 2023aeaf was found in the COSMOS-Web survey. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed its classification as a Type II supernova and estimated its host galaxy's low metal content and active star formation. The analysis suggests the progenitor star was about 12 times the mass of the Sun and surrounded by a shell of gas shed before it exploded.
This finding contributes to the growing sample of supernovae observed at redshifts beyond 3, which could help refine our understanding of cosmic star formation history.
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