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University of Washington postdoctoral researcher and lecturer Breanna Binder and colleagues recently uncovered the mystery behind ‘supernova imposter‘ SN 2010da. Initially thought to be a supernova based on a bright emission of light, SN 2010da was later categorized as a massive star showing enormous flares, likely in a binary. Binder and colleagues conclude that intense X-ray emission indicate the companion to be a neutron star. Their results suggest SN 2010da — which formed less than 5 million years ago — may be one of the youngest currently known X-ray emitting binaries. Their full report can be found in a new paper published Feb. 12 in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and the press release can be found here.