Observation of a neutrino burst in coincidence with supernova 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Mixing in Starts

Analysis of the chemical and isotopic composition of stellar surfaces reveals the types of nuclear reactions that have occurred in the stellar interiors as well as the timing and depths from which material once deep in the star has reached the surface. Mass loss from the stellar surface and, in some cases, mass transfer from a companion enhance the opportunity to observe material that is the product of internal nuclear reactions. Detailed studies show substantial deficiencies in current models with the timing and depth of convective and other forms of mixing.

Supernova 1987A!

Light from the brightest supernova in almost 400 years arrived at Earth on 23 February 1987. Although located 160,000 light years away in a satellite galaxy of our own known as the Large Magellanic Cloud, this supernova's relative proximity compared to all others that have been observed in modern times has allowed observations, which were never possible before, to be made from space, from detectors on the ground and carried by balloons and airplanes, and from neutrino detectors deep underground. What emerges is a greater understanding of one of the most violent events in the universe, the death of a massive star. For the most part, theoretical expectations have been borne out, but some major surprises have made the event all the more fascinating.