What is the difference between a Type I and Type Ic supernova?

A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs when a star exhausts its nuclear fuel and can no longer support its own weight. There are different types of supernovae, each with distinct characteristics. Two types of supernovae are Type I and Type Ic.

Type I supernovae occur in binary star systems where one star is a white dwarf and the other star is a main sequence star. The white dwarf pulls material from its companion star, and when it reaches a critical mass, a runaway nuclear reaction occurs that triggers the supernova. Type Ic supernovae are a subtype of Type I supernovae that lack the spectral lines of hydrogen.

The main difference between Type I and Type Ic supernovae is the composition of the star that explodes. Type Ic supernovae are believed to be caused by the explosion of a massive star that has lost its outer layers of hydrogen and helium due to stellar winds. As a result, the supernova lacks the spectral lines of hydrogen and helium that are typically observed in Type I supernovae. This makes it more difficult to study the progenitor star of a Type Ic supernova, as there is less information available about its composition.