Page 29 - Ultimate Visual Dictionary (DK)

MASSIVE STARS

FEATURES OF A SUPERNOVA

Shock wave travels outward
Ejecta (outer layers of star from core at 20,000 miles/sec
thrown off during explosion) (30,000 km/sec)
travels at 6,000 miles/sec
(10,000 km/sec)

TARANTULA NEBULA SHOWING
SUPERNOVA IN 1987
Reverse shock wave
moves inward and
heats ejecta, causing
it to shine
Chemical elements
heavier than iron
are produced in
the explosion and
scattered into space

Central
temperature:
Contracting 18 billion ºF
core consisting
(10 billion ºC)
mainly of neutrons
remains after explosion

Extremely dense core
Light energy
of a billion Suns 6 miles (4 km) (one teaspoonful
emitted during explosion weighs about a
Core mass of billion tons)
less than three
solar masses
60 million miles
(100 million km) Outer layers of
star blown off NEUTRON STAR
in explosion Core of mass greater
Contracting than three solar masses
stellar core may continues contracting
Cooling, remain after to become black hole
expanding supernova
outer layers
Accretion
SUPERNOVA disk
RED SUPERGIANT Duration of
Duration: 4 million years visibility: 1–2 years BLACK HOLE

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