What key feature characterizes the spectrum of a Type II supernova?
Answer
The presence of hydrogen lines.
The classification of a supernova as Type II is specifically linked to its observable spectral signature. A Type II supernova exhibits the presence of hydrogen lines within its spectrum when observed by telescopes. This spectral feature is highly significant because it confirms that the dying star retained its outermost envelope of hydrogen until the very moment of the explosion. In contrast, Type Ia supernovae, which result from white dwarfs exceeding their limit in binary systems, typically lack hydrogen lines in their spectra, indicating that their hydrogen envelopes were lost prior to the catastrophic detonation.
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