In this week’s issue of the journal Science, OSU astronomers report the discovery of the most powerful supernova ever seen. The object at the center could be a very rare type of star called a magnetar—but one so powerful that it pushes the energy limits allowed by physics.
An international team of professional and amateur astronomers spotted the possible supernova, now called ASASSN-15lh, when it first flared to life in June 2015.