SN 2016aps (also known as PS16aqy and AT2016aps) is the
brightest and most energetic
supernova explosion ever recorded.[2][3] It released more energy than
ASASSN-15lh.[4] In addition to the sheer amount of energy released, an unusually large amount of the energy was released in the form of radiation, probably due to the interaction of the supernova ejecta and a previously lost gas shell.[5]
The progenitor star is estimated to have had at least 50 to 100
solar masses. The
spectrum of SN 2016aps revealed significant amounts of
hydrogen, which is unexpected for supernovae of this type, which usually occur after
nuclear fusion has consumed most of the star's hydrogen and the stars have shed the remaining hydrogen atmosphere. This led researchers to the theory that the progenitor star formed only shortly before the event from the merger of two very large stars, creating a "pulsational pair instability" supernova or possibly a full
pair instability supernova.[10][7][11]
See also
Superluminous supernova – Supernova at least ten times more luminous than a standard supernova
References
^
abcChornock, R.; et al. (March 2016). "Spectroscopic classification of two superluminous supernovae". The Astronomer's Telegram. 8790: 1.
Bibcode:
2016ATel.8790....1C.