[Music]
From supernovae to stellar corpses
With the help of ESO telescopes,
astronomers have found a direct link
between the explosive deaths of massive stars
and the formation of compact objects:
black holes and neutron stars.
While observing the aftermath
of a supernova explosion in a nearby galaxy,
researchers found that a compact object
had remained in orbit around a companion star.
As the object zipped past the companion,
it stole material,
which was detected as regular fluctuations in brightness.
Along with other clues,
this confirmed, for the first time,
that a compact object was formed in a supernova explosion.
Produced by ESO, the European Southern Observatory. Reaching new heights in Astronomy
Music: Stellardrone – Comet Halley. Footage and photos: ESO / L. Calçada, M. Kornmesser, A. Tsaousis, A. Santerne, Hubble. Scientific consultant: Paola Amico, Mariya Lyubenova