Can Organic Molecules Survive a Supernova Explosion?— First Detection of Hot Cores in a Supernova Remnant —
July 10, 2026
Abstract
For the first time, astronomers have discovered stellar cocoons rich in complex organic molecules within a supernova remnant. A research team from Niigata University, Gifu University, RIKEN, and Kyoto University in Japan used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to observe the remnant of a massive star that exploded approximately 1,600 years ago. The team discovered warm, dense cocoons of molecular gas surrounding newborn stars, known as hot cores, marking the first detection of such objects within a supernova remnant. The discovery suggests that newborn stars can remain protected within their natal cocoons, allowing their rich molecular composition to survive even under intense supernova feedback. The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal on July 1, 2026.
Details of the Research
Publication Details
Journal: The Astrophysical Journal
Title: Survival of Molecular Complexity under Recent Supernova Feedback: Detection of Hot Cores in RX J1713.7-3946
Authors: Takashi Shimonishi, Hidetoshi Sano, Kenji Furuya, and Yoko Oya
Doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae6fba
News release
The article was released in EurekAlert, the online publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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