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TrulyReconciled (original poster member #3031) posted at 6:47 PM on Friday, January 24th, 2014
Just the other day:
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 one week away from its maximum brightness, SN 2014J is already the brightest part of M82 and visible in small telescopes in the evening sky.
"In a time of deceit, telling the Truth is a revolutionary act."
simplydevastated ( member #25001) posted at 8:23 PM on Friday, January 24th, 2014
Me - BS, 40 (I'm not old...I'm vintage)
Two Wonderful children - DS11, DD8
Getting my ducks in a row for divorce... finally (4+ D-Days too many - listed in profile.)
thebighurt ( member #34722) posted at 9:14 PM on Friday, January 24th, 2014
Pretty amazing stuff! Thanks, TR. I have to tell DS to check it out with his kids. They have a nice telescope.
Finding what life could have been....... Why didn't I see it?
jo2love ( member #31528) posted at 9:33 PM on Friday, January 24th, 2014
That is beautiful! 
TrulyReconciled (original poster member #3031) posted at 9:38 PM on Friday, January 24th, 2014
Of course, at this distance, the event occurred about 12,000,000 years ago!
"In a time of deceit, telling the Truth is a revolutionary act."
somanyyears ( member #26970) posted at 9:44 PM on Friday, January 24th, 2014
.. 
just like yesterday... in cosmic time.. tic-tok-tik-tok
nice pic..
smy
trust no other human- love only your pets. Reconciled I think! Me 77 Her 74 Married 52 yrs. 18 yr LTA with bff/lawyer. Little fucker died at 57.Brain tumour!
thebighurt ( member #34722) posted at 1:39 AM on Saturday, January 25th, 2014
DS says he would love to see it, but it's just too danged cold to spend the time training the telescope on it right now. Maybe if it's still visible when it warms up to near freezing, maybe in May?? 
Besides, with all the snow, it's too cloudy anyway. 
Finding what life could have been....... Why didn't I see it?
worried_lady ( member #27605) posted at 4:40 AM on Saturday, January 25th, 2014
TR, I love it when you post this stuff (technical term)
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over it became a butterfly.
TrulyReconciled (original poster member #3031) posted at 3:09 PM on Monday, January 27th, 2014
TR, I love it when you post this stuff (technical term)
Thanks ... small group of APOD lovers
"In a time of deceit, telling the Truth is a revolutionary act."
JenniMay ( member #24595) posted at 3:18 PM on Monday, January 27th, 2014
Space is so awesome! I love stuff like this!
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