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WinoWithAKnife t1_j1g3xwc wrote

Someone want to explain what this means and why it's important?

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Lochrin00 t1_j1j6ny6 wrote

Supernova's emit x-ray bursts and a wave of non-photon particles. If the particle wave hits a thick enough nebula, Physicsy Things happen that will polarise the x-rays. This process can only cause partial polarisation (60% ish) and usually well below that.

They found a supernova with x-rays polarized nearly to the limit, which would only be possible if the particles were a fluid flowing nearly perfectly with almost no turbulence. That would be, to put it mildly, a near trick.

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WinoWithAKnife t1_j1j7ah8 wrote

What is the limit and why does it exist?

3