Over a thousand years ago, the stellar explosion known as supernova SN 1006 was observed. It was brighter than Venus, and visible during the day for weeks. The brightest supernova ever recorded on Earth, this spectacular light show was documented all around the world. Ancient observers were treated to this celestial firework display without understanding its cause. Astronomers now understand that SN 1006 was caused by a white dwarf star that captured mass from a companion star, became unstable and exploded. The explosion has left a blazing hot cloud of expanding debris. Because no material falls back into a neutron star or black hole after this type of supernova explosion, the expulsion of this star's contents is complete. Recent observations of the remnant of SN 1006 reveal the release of elements such as iron previously locked up inside the star. Is it the beginning of a process for the creation of a new world?
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