Images keep pouring in of the biggest excitement in astronomy this week, a new Type Ia supernova in the Cigar Galaxy, 82, about 12 million light years away. As has been said, the Cigar got lit!
This is the closest supernova of this type since the 1800’s. Astrophotographers have been out in full force trying to nab this event, we’ve got more great images to share today, and we’ll keep adding them as they come in.
If you haven’t been able to take a look for yourself, you can join a live webcast from the folks at the Virtual Telescope Project on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 20:30 UTC (3 pm EST, 1 pm PST), which you can watch here.
Plus, Fraser and the Virtual Star Party will surely try to nab M82 during their hangout on Sunday January 26 at 9 pm EST. Click the VSP link to find out when it starts in your time zone.
Want to get your astrophoto featured on Universe Today? Join our Flickr group or send us your images by email (this means you’re giving us permission to post them). Please explain what’s in the picture, when you took it, the equipment you used, etc.
Went out tonight and spotted the supernova with a 6″ Dobsonian. Particularly thrilling to see two galaxies in one field of view!
Wasn’t the nova in Delphinium last year that became naked eye visibile a type 1a?? Article states closest type of nova since 1800??? I thought the nova in Delphinium was within our galaxy. Also, what type was the nova seen in the Southern Hemisphere late last year??? I recall it being quite bright as well.
A nova stems from the explosion on the surface of a white dwarf. The white dwarf then survives the nova-event.
A supernova type 1a stems from the entire white dwarf obliterating itself, wich requires different starting conditions than a nova.
They are not the same. While nova’s are quite commonplace, usually a few every year in the milky way alone, supernovas are rare – and much much brighter.
I’m… not perceiving the excitement here.
Is this what you people call exciting? Wow.