Space

Images of closest supernova in years, in galaxy M82

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January 23, 2014

Amateur astronomers are capturing the first images of the supernova, or exploding star, in the famous galaxy Messier 82 (M82), which appears along our line of sight to the famous Big Dipper asterism. The first to recognize the supernova, it seems, was a team of students at the University College London Observatory, inside the London city limits, on January 21, 2014 (view press release). It is bright enough to be visible in small telescopes, and it’s apparently still getting brighter. It’s well placed for viewing in the evening hours.

M82 is a near neighbor in our vast universe of galaxies. This is the closest supernova in years, at 11 or 12 million light-years away. Hopefully, it goes without saying that there is no danger. Members of the EarthSky community captured the images below. Enjoy thinking about this vast explosion in space, which actually happened millions of years ago. We are only now seeing its light.

Our friend Mike Hankey sent in this photo, which he took this morning (January 23, 2014). He said it was a relatively long exposure, of 3.5 hours. See images below this one to identify which star is the supernova. Thank you, Mike! — Our friend Mike Hankey sent in this photo, which he took this morning (January 23, 2014). He said it was a relatively long exposure, of 3.5 hours. See image below this one to identify which star is the supernova. Thank you, Mike! Visit Mike’s AstroPhotos

View larger. | Thomas Wildoner captured these before-and-after images of M82. Again, the supernova is on the right. Thank you, Thomas! PHOTO DETAILS: 90 second exposures using a Canon T4i and Canon EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens at ISO 800. The camera was mounted on a ZEQ25GT mount from iOptron. — View larger. | Thomas Wildoner captured these before-and-after images of M82. See the supernova? Thank you, Thomas! Photo details: 90 second exposures using a Canon T4i and Canon EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens at ISO 800. The camera was mounted on a ZEQ25GT mount from iOptron.

Scott MacNeill at Frosty Dew Observatory captured these two images of the galaxy M82 this month. The one on the right shows the supernova. Thank you, Scott! — View larger. | Scott MacNeill at Frosty Drew Observatory captured these before-and-after images of the galaxy M82 this month. The one on the right shows the supernova. Thank you, Scott!

View larger. | Greg Hogan said, “I can’t believe I pulled it off, but here is M82 with new Supernova PSN 095542. Very exciting to be able to catch this with my modest setup. Meade ETX80/Canon 7D. 80X2sec Stacked 18 DARKS.” Thanks, Greg!

M82 (Cigar Galaxy) is nearly always mentioned with another object, known as M81 (Bode's Nebula). Here are the two M-objects together (M82 is on the left). Our friend Ken Christison captured this beautiful image. He said it's a stack of 15 images of 30 seconds. — M82 (Cigar Galaxy) is nearly always mentioned with another object, known as M81 (Bode’s Nebula). Here are the two M-objects together (M82 is on the left). Our friend Ken Christison captured this beautiful image this morning (January 23, 2014). He said it’s a stack of 15 images of 30 seconds.

Some are saying this is the nearest supernova since Supernova 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud. However, there was another supernova, Supernova 1993J, in M81 some 20 years ago. The supernova’s preliminary designation is PSN (Preliminary Supernova) J09554214+6940260. Expect a better name soon! Skyandtelescope.com reports:

A spectrum reported by Yi Cao and colleagues (Caltech) suggests that the supernova may still be two weeks away from reaching its peak brightness. The spectrum shows it to be a Type Ia supernova — an exploded white dwarf — with debris expanding at 20,000 kilometers per second. It is reddened, and hence must also be dimmed, by dust in M82 along our line of sight.

You need a telescope to see the supernova, so check with your local science or astronomy club. Some may be having impromptu star parties in its honor. M82 is well up in the northeastern sky by 7 or 8 p.m. (for observers at mid-northern latitudes). The waning gibbous moon doesn’t rise until much later.

Deborah Byrd

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About the Author:

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.