Astronomers Capture First Glimpse of a Star Stripped to Its Core Before Exploding

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have observed for the first time a dying star stripped nearly to its very core before erupting in a supernova. The finding provides an unprecedented view of a massive star’s internal structure in its final moments.

A Rare Glimpse Inside a Star

The supernova, named SN2021yfj, astonished researchers when it revealed evidence that the star had shed not only its outer hydrogen and helium layers but also its deeper silicon and sulfur layers. These elements usually remain hidden deep inside a star, and their exposure before the blast gave scientists a direct look at the layers previously thought impossible to observe.

Confirming Long-Standing Theories

For decades, astrophysicists have described massive stars as having an “onion-like” structure, with lighter elements on the outside and heavier ones at the core. This discovery confirms that theory through direct observation, offering one of the clearest pieces of evidence yet of how stars are built from the inside out.

An Unprecedented Event

Astronomers described the star as “stripped to the bone,” a phrase reflecting how unusual it is for a star to lose so many of its layers before collapsing. Detecting such an event is considered extraordinarily rare, and it could be years—or even decades—before scientists are able to witness something similar again.

The Mystery of Mass Loss

One of the biggest questions that remains is how the star lost so much material before exploding. Scientists suggest several possibilities: powerful eruptions from within the star itself, gravitational interactions with a nearby companion star, or repeated pulses that gradually peeled away its layers. While no single explanation has yet been confirmed, the event offers a vital opportunity for future research.

Summary

Event: First-ever observation of a supernova exposing a star’s inner layers
Significance: Confirms the long-held “layered structure” theory of massive stars
Remaining Question: The exact process that stripped the star remains unknown