Institute of Physics: Inside a Supernova: The Hidden Physics of Exploding Stars

This lecture explores how astronomers piece together the life cycle of a massive star as it collapses into a supernova. Using simulations alongside observational evidence, the talk explains how researchers study the hidden engine behind one of the most spectacular events in the Universe, even though much of the action is buried deep inside the star and cannot be seen directly.

The talk also looks ahead to the next generation of discoveries. It considers how future detections of neutrinos and gravitational waves could reveal even more about how supernovae work and help refine current theories about stellar explosions.

The event is led by Dr Vishnu Varma of Keele University, whose research focuses on the theoretical and computational modelling of massive stars and their supernova explosions. It takes place at Keele University and is organised by the Institute of Physics West Midlands Branch and Keele Centre.