NGC 3239 and SN 2012A
Explanation:
About 40,000 light-years across, pretty, irregular galaxy
NGC 3239 lies near the center of
this
lovely field of galaxies
in the galaxy rich constellation
Leo.
At a distance of only 25 million light-years it dominates
the frame, sporting a
peculiar
arrangement of structures, young blue star clusters and star
forming regions, suggesting that NGC 3239 (aka
Arp 263) is the result of a
galaxy merger.
Appearing nearly on top of the pretty galaxy is a bright,
spiky, foreground star,
a nearby member of our own Milky Way galaxy
almost directly along our line-of-sight to NGC 3239.
Still, NGC 3239 is notable for hosting this year's
first confirmed supernova,
designated SN 2012A.
It was discovered
early this month by supernova hunters Bob Moore,
Jack Newton,
and Tim Puckett.
Indicated in
a cropped version
of the wider image,
SN 2012A is just below and right of the bright foreground star.
Of course, based on the
light-travel time to NGC 3239, the
supernova explosion
itself occurred 25 million years ago,
triggered by the core collapse of a
massive star.
APOD in India:
APOD editor to
speak in Delhi on Feb. 12
(registration required)
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.
