Science Friday What Lies Beneath The Outer Layers Of A Star?
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Aug 27, 2025 Astrophysicist Steve Schulze, a research associate at Northwestern University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics, discusses groundbreaking discoveries about supernovae. He reveals what lies beneath the hydrogen and helium of stars, particularly in the case of supernova 2021yfj, which showcased a silicon- and sulfur-rich inner shell after its outer layers were stripped away. Schulze compares the structure of stars to a cosmic onion, uncovering layers of complexity and intriguing questions about stellar composition and evolution.
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Stars Form Onion-Like Shells
- Massive stars develop layered shells like an onion through staged nuclear fusion.
- Observing inner shells requires outer layers to be removed so telescopes can see deeper compositions.
Discovery Sparked Immediate Surprise
- Steve Schulze recounts that the team immediately knew the object was unprecedented but didn't initially understand it.
- Their surprise drove deeper analysis that led to the paper and renewed excitement upon publication.
How Outer Layers Get Stripped
- Stripping removes outer shells via winds, eruptions, or a companion, exposing deeper layers.
- Stars can lose several shells so explosions sometimes reveal inner compositions not usually visible.