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Scientists Identify First Binary-Star Supernova Pair: IC 443 & G189.6+3.3

7/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Miltiadis Michailidis announced the first candidate binary-star supernova pair linking IC 443 and G189.6+3.3.
IC 443 lies 6,000 light-years away; G189.6+3.3 exploded 20,000–110,000 years ago, lies 30–50 light-years from IC 443, and the 1-in-1,000 chance-alignment odds led researchers to view the pair as a binary-origin system.
An analysis of Fermi data, X-ray, optical and radio measurements showed G189.6+3.3 emits gamma rays and accelerates protons and electrons, confirming it as a supernova remnant.

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Story summary

Miltiadis Michailidis announced the first candidate binary-star supernova pair linking IC 443 and G189.6+3.3.
IC 443 lies 6,000 light-years away; G189.6+3.3 exploded 20,000–110,000 years ago, lies 30–50 light-years from IC 443, and the 1-in-1,000 chance-alignment odds led researchers to view the pair as a binary-origin system.
An analysis of Fermi data, X-ray, optical and radio measurements showed G189.6+3.3 emits gamma rays and accelerates protons and electrons, confirming it as a supernova remnant.