What characteristic spectral feature distinguishes a core-collapse supernova (like Type II) from a Type Ia supernova?
Answer
Core-collapse supernovae show evidence of hydrogen, while Type Ia nearly completely lacks hydrogen
The presence or absence of hydrogen in the spectrum is a key differentiator; core-collapse supernovae retain some outer layers showing hydrogen (Type II) or helium (Ib/Ic), whereas Type Ia result from the explosion of a carbon/oxygen core stripped of its envelope.
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