Light echoes are phenomena resulting from the rapid brightening of stars, such as during supernova explosions. When a star detonates, the flash of light expands in a sphere at about 300,000 kilometers per second, creating a spherical shell that can be observed far from the explosion site. This light can take years or even centuries to reach the observer due to the vast distances in space. Unlike sound echoes, which travel through air and can be calculated based on speed and delay, light echoes help astronomers map cosmic events over immense timescales.
Light echoes occur when a massive star detonates, creating a flash of light that expands rapidly. This light defines a spherical shell around the explosion.
Like sound, light travels at a finite speed, which can be slow on astronomical scales, making light echoes detectable years or centuries later.
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