Hubble Telescope captures ‘stellar explosion’ of star from over 11 billion years ago

The Hubble Telescope has captured a true blast from the past, spotting the colossal explosion of a star from over 11 billion years ago in the first detailed look of a supernova so early in the universe’s history.

The discovery comes over a decade after the telescope took photos of the Abell 370 galaxy cluster in 2010. Researchers were combing through data when just behind the galaxy, they discovered images had been taken of a supernova, which is the dying of a massive star and the largest explosion in space, according to NASA. The findings were published in the peer reviewed journal Nature Wednesday. 

Even with the galaxy in the way, it was viewable through a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing – the gravitational force of Abell 370 bends and magnifies the light behind it, making it possible to view the supernova from Earth.

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But the chance to spot a supernova is difficult because it all happens in short time frame. It can last for hours or a few days, Wenlei Chen, lead author of the research paper and postdoctoral researcher in the University of Minnesota School of Physics and Astronomy, said in a statement.

use the James Webb Space Telescope to observe more, and perhaps more distant, supernovae. 

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.

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