Transcript for February 22nd and 23rd

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Thirty years ago on the 23rd, a blue super giant star in the Large Magellanic Cloud collapsed and exploded.

SOUND OF EXPLOSION

PAUL
Actually, this collapse occurred 168,000 years earlier.

RACHEL
Because of its distance from the solar system, it took the explosion’s light that long to reach the solar system.

PAUL
The collapse of a massive star is called a supernova and this one was named SN 1987A.

RACHEL
SN 1987A is still the brightest and closest supernova since the invention of the telescope over 400 years ago.

PAUL
That means it’s still the best opportunity astronomers have had to study the supernova process and its after-effects.

RACHEL
Did you know that SN 1987A kick started neutrino astronomy?

RACHEL
It turns out that three neutrino detectors on Earth detected a burst of 25 neutrinos from the explosion some three hours before its light reached Earth.

PAUL
Neutrinos, which are subatomic particles, rarely ever interact with matter.

RACHEL
They’re created in huge numbers when a star’s core collapses.

PAUL
In fact, one hundred times as many neutrinos escape a supernova explosion than photons of light.

RACHEL
Their lack of interaction with matter means neutrinos can escape the collapse of a star hours before light can.

PAUL
Astronomers now know that a burst of neutrinos from space is probably the sign of an impending supernova explosion.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd of February.

PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.

For Idaho Skies this is Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.