Scientists at the University of Warwick are using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse cosmic explosions known as supernovae.
Many stars in the Universe will end their lives as white dwarfs – compact stars containing about the mass of the Sun in the size of the Earth. Some of these white dwarfs will eventually explode as supernovae. The process is highly energetic and results in the creation of heavy elements that are the building blocks of life, such as calcium and iron, being released back into the Universe.
Despite their significance, astronomers still do not know exactly how or why these supernovae take place.
To help understand more, new research will make use of a type of AI known as machine learning to speed up experiments into supernovae – processes which are currently very computationally expensive and time consuming. This will help reveal how these cosmic explosions took place by comparing explosion models to real-life observations.
Lead Author Dr Mark Magee, from the Department of Physics, University of Warwick, said: "When investigating supernovae, we analyse their spectra. Spectra show the intensity of light over different wavelengths, which is impacted by the elements created in the supernova. Each element interacts with light at unique wavelengths and therefore leaves a unique signature on the spectra.
