A Supernova in Nearby Galaxy NGC 2403
Explanation:
The closest and brightest supernova in over a decade was
recorded just over a month ago in the outskirts of
nearby galaxy NGC 2403.
Officially tagged
SN 2004dj, the
Type IIP
explosion likely annihilated most of a blue
supergiant star as central
fusion could no longer
hold it up.
The
supernova
can be seen as the bright in the
above image in the direction of the arrow.
The home galaxy to the supernova, spiral galaxy
NGC 2403, is located only 11 million
light years away and is visible with binoculars
toward the northern
constellation of
Camelopardalis (the
Giraffe).
The
supernova is fading but still visible with a telescope,
once peaking at just brighter than
magnitude 12.
Supernovas
of this type change brightness in a predictable way and may be
searched for in the
distant universe as distance indicators.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
