Bright Supernova in M82
Explanation:
Astronomers really don't find supernovae by looking for the arrows.
But
in this image taken January 23rd,
an arrow does point to an
exciting, new supernova,
now cataloged as SN 2014J, in nearby bright galaxy M82.
Located near
the Big Dipper in planet Earth's sky,
M82 is also known as the Cigar Galaxy,
a popular target for telescopes in the northern hemisphere.
In fact, SN 2014J was
first spotted as an unfamiliar source
in the otherwise familiar galaxy by teaching fellow Steve Fossey and
astronomy workshop students
Ben Cooke, Tom Wright, Matthew Wilde and Guy Pollack
at the University College London Observatory on
the evening of January 21.
M82 is a mere 12 million light-years away
(so the supernova explosion
did
happen 12 million years ago, that light just now reaching Earth),
making supernova SN 2014J one of the closest to be seen
in recent decades.
Spectra indicate it is a
Type Ia
supernova caused by the explosion
of a white dwarf
accreting matter
from a companion star.
By some estimates two weeks away from its maximum brightness,
SN 2014J is already the brightest part of M82 and visible
in small telescopes in the evening sky.
Gallery:
Supernova in M82
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.
