Discovery of 1181 Supernova's Remnants Reveals Unique 'Zombie Star'

Astronomers have mapped the remnants of a supernova seen in 1181, uncovering unusual sulfur filaments and a surviving star fragment.

The supernova, observed by Chinese and Japanese astronomers in 1181, is one of only five confirmed galactic supernovae visible in human history.
Remnants were traced to the Pa 30 nebula, identified in 2013 by amateur astronomer Dana Patchick and confirmed as the 1181 supernova's source in 2021.
The explosion left behind a 'zombie star,' a surviving fragment of the white dwarf that typically would be destroyed in such an event.
Using the Keck Cosmic Web Imager, researchers created a 3D map of the nebula, revealing filaments expanding at 1,000 kilometers per second.
The study found the explosion was asymmetrical, with a large empty space inside the nebula, posing new questions for astronomers.