Space & astronomy · the experiment
Weigh the nickel in SN 2023iop
One supernova, one magnitude scale and two equations from the paper. Work out from its peak how much nickel-56 it would take, then test its late light against cobalt-56.
1 · Read the magnitude gap
Beginner
At peak, SN 2023iop shone about 4 magnitudes brighter than SN 1987A. How many times more light is that?
2 · Weigh the nickel at peak
Intermediate
SN 1987A made 0.07 solar masses of nickel-56. If nickel also powered the peak of SN 2023iop, 3.7 magnitudes brighter, how much would it take?
Check it: set the peak magnitude gap between SN 2023iop and SN 1987A until the nickel needed shows 2.2 solar masses.
3 · Test the tail against cobalt
Intermediate
Cobalt-56 decays with a lifetime τ = 111.3 days. If it alone powered the light from day 150 to day 325, how much would the supernova fade?
Check it: the curve starts at the observed level on day 150. Change the lifetime τ of the energy source until the model follows the observed decline.
4 · Add more nickel
Expert
If the star had made five times more nickel-56, what would happen to the cobalt tail?
Nickel weighed
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