spaceplasma:Bright New Supernova Blows Up in Nearby M82, the Cigar GalaxyNow here’s a supernov
spaceplasma:Bright New Supernova Blows Up in Nearby M82, the Cigar GalaxyNow here’s a supernova bright enough for even small telescope observers to see. And it’s in a bright galaxy in Ursa Major well placed for viewing during evening hours in the northern hemisphere. Doesn’t get much better than that! The new object was discovered last night by S.J. Fossey; news of the outburst first appeared on the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams “Transient Objects Confirmation Page”M82 is a bright, striking edge-on spiral galaxy bright enough to see in binoculars. Known as the Cigar or Starburst Galaxy because of its shape and a large, active starburst region in its core, it’s only 12 million light years from Earth and home to two previous supernovae in 2004 and 2008. Neither of those came anywhere close to the being as bright as the discovery, and it’s very possible the new object will become brighter yet.Full ArticleCredit: E. Guido, N. Howes, M. Nicolini. -- source link