Here is a bit more information on how they came closer to their understanding:

Chomiuk was one of four astrophysicist who came together to discuss the importance of two studies, published earlier this year in the journal Nature, that offer some of the strongest evidence to date that either one or two white dwarfs can trigger Type Ia supernovae.

These discoveries have come about in large part thanks to new telescope survey projects, using a suite of instruments available in space and on the ground, and advances in computer modeling that strengthen theoretical models.

Wow who knew about these white dwarfs potentially being involved in this phenomenon.

And below is a cool video about supernovas with information from Stephen Hawking.  We hope you enjoy and as always feel free to comment with your ideas.

thanks to phys.org for the great info