Superkilonova | 23 Dec 2025

Source: TH 

The study by an international research team, including scientists from IIT Bombay and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, reports the possible discovery of a superkilonova, a rare and powerful cosmic explosion.

• Kilonova: When two neutron stars collide, they eject heavy radioactive elements such as gold, platinum and neodymium, whose decay produces optical and infrared emissions known as a kilonova. 
• Superkilonova: A superkilonova has an additional energy source, as it begins with a supernova explosion that forms two neutron stars (instead of one). 
  • These neutron stars later spiral inward and merge, producing a kilonova. This results in a stronger and more complex event, with both supernova and kilonova signatures. 
  • Studies show that a superkilonova produces intense gravitational waves and a powerful electromagnetic blast, appearing brighter and longer-lasting than a normal kilonova. 
  • Superkilonovae are still a proposed/observationally emerging class of events, not yet as firmly established as kilonova.