Type Iax supernova

A Type Iax supernova is essentially a mini supernova. Being only about one-hundredth as bright as their supernova siblings, they are about as third as common as Type Ia supernovae. They are not found in elliptical galaxies, filled with older stars, suggesting that Type Iax supernovae come from young star systems.

Type Iax supernovae come from binary star systems containing a white dwarf and a companion star that has burned all of its hydrogen, leaving an outer layer that is helium rich. One explanation for the phenomenon involves the ignition of the outer helium layer from the companion star. The resulting shockwave slams into the white dwarf and disrupts it, causing the explosion. Alternately, the white dwarf might ignite first due to the overlying helium shell it has collected from the companion star. The star will be battered and bruised but it might live to see another day.

Supernovae explosions release so much energy as heat and light that they outshine entire galaxies for brief periods of time. The extremely hot conditions naturally create new heavier elements, such as gold, lead, nickel, zinc and copper. The explosion enriches the surrounding area leaving material for new stars to form.