Gravitational Lens: Researchers Find Galaxy that Magnified Supernova PS1-10afx

Researchers have solved a cosmic illusion by finding a galaxy that magnified Type Ia supernova. The research shows that gravitational lensing by the galaxy had magnified the supernova, making it appear brighter than expected. The galaxy was found by Robert Quimby at the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU) and team. The research could advance astronomers' understanding of Supernovae of Type Ia (SNIa). Also, the study could affect the theories on cosmic expansion. A Supernova is an explosion of a massive star. Type Ia supernovae (SNIa) are a result of the explosion of a carbon-oxygen white dwarf in a binary star system. According to researchers, SNIa can be used tp understand the workings of the Universe and the mysterious dark energy. These supernovae are used as standard candles to measure cosmological distances. Some galaxies act as huge magnifying glass in the space. Gravitational lensing helps astronomers study the minute details of cosmic bodies. Read more about the use of the lens, here. The story of the current research began in 2010 when researchers found supernova named PS1-10afx. The supernova looked pretty much like Type Ia supernova. However, its peak brightness was 30 times larger than expected. The difference in the brightness led some astronomers to believe that PS1-10afx belonged to a newer class of supernovae. "PS1-10afx looked a lot like a Type Ia supernova, "said Robert Quimby at the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU), according to a news release, "but it was just too bright." The team hypothesized that a large galaxy was warping space-time around the supernova to magnify its appearance. The team used Keck-I telescope located in Hawai'I to locate the hidden galaxy. They found a galaxy in the foreground that fitted with the description of the galaxy that could magnify the supernova. The galaxy went unnoticed during previous research because it was small and comprised of dim stars. The glare of the supernova hid the galaxy from observers. The current research could change the way astronomers study supernovae, researchers said. The study is published in the journal Science.