Science
Scientists Discover 84 Mysterious 'Hypersoft' X-Ray Objects That Could Help Explain Supernovae
Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have identified dozens of unusual objects in nearby galaxies that appear different from previously known X-ray sources, potentially offering new clues about how some stellar explosions occur.
YuToday Staff
· 1 min read · September 12, 2026
Key takeaways
- Researchers identified 84 objects across six nearby galaxies that produce unusually low-energy X-rays alongside strong ultraviolet radiation.
- Scientists are calling them hypersoft X-ray sources.
- Black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs pulling material from companion stars normally generate stronger high-energy X-rays.
Astronomers Find 84 Strange Objects
Researchers identified 84 objects across six nearby galaxies that produce unusually low-energy X-rays alongside strong ultraviolet radiation. Scientists are calling them hypersoft X-ray sources.
They Do Not Behave Like Typical X-Ray Systems
Black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs pulling material from companion stars normally generate stronger high-energy X-rays. The newly identified objects appear considerably softer than expected.
Why They May Be Difficult to See in Our Galaxy
Ultraviolet radiation is easily absorbed by gas and dust between stars. That means similar objects inside the Milky Way could remain hidden even if they are relatively common.
Possible Connection to Type Ia Supernovae
Researchers believe studying the objects could improve understanding of the processes that trigger Type Ia supernovae. These explosions play an important role in astronomy because scientists use them to measure cosmic distances.
A New Window Into the Universe
If hypersoft sources represent a previously undercounted population of compact stellar systems, they could influence models describing the evolution of stars, galaxies and the energetic environments surrounding them.