Want to see a Supernova??

Hey guys, what's up?

Couple of nights ago, astronomers were able to identify a supernova in Messier 82 (M82),also known as Cigar Galaxy, about 12 million light years from Earth. While 12 million light years seems like a huge distance (and don’t get me wrong; it is), it is pretty darn close when dealing with things on a cosmic scale. This is the closest supernova since SN 1987A, which was only 168,000 light years away and could be seen with the unaided eye.

The supernova is classified as a Type Ia. The star, before it exploded around 12 million years ago, was a white dwarf star in a binary system. While the star was about the size of Earth, it had a mass similar to our sun. Gravity caused it to take on more and more mass from hydrogen gas that it stole from its companion star. 

Position of M82

Before and After shots of M82

If you live in an area that is clear and dark enough to see the stars, be sure to look up and check out the show. It can be seen anywhere from the northern hemisphere with a good pair of binoculars or an amateur telescope. M82 is in the northwestern region of Ursa Major, right above the "head" of the bear. Trace from the head to the isosceles triangle of stars. Northeast of the triangle you will find the star 24 Ursae Majoris with a magnitude of 4.5. M82 is about two degrees southeast of this star. It is pretty bright right now and has the potential to become even more luminous in the night sky.  

If you are lucky you might be able to see this, so get on ahead and check it out. See you next time guys, cheers.