Modeling A Supernova

Over the past few decades, computer models and computer simulations have proven to be invaluable tools across a range of fields. MIT scientists have recently used computers to reconstruct a star that exploded into a supernova centuries ago.

Cassiopeia A is a powerful source in the radio part of the spectrum. It's also a nebula, the remnants of a supernova that exploded over 300 years ago. Using both ground- and space-based images taken over a period of years, scientists have played back time, creating a 3-D image of the titanic blast.

There is no guarantee that every supernova proceeds in the same fashion, although only really massive stars go supernova, but reconstructing the process in fair detail in one case is a fascimating project that could yield valuable insights.