Bright Supernova in M82

[Rick]

Bright Supernova in M82

A spectrum reported a few hours ago 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.

More: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/Bright-Supernova-in-M82-241477661.html
And: http://www.universetoday.com/108386/bright-new-supernova-blows-up-in-nearby-m82-the-cigar-galaxy/
And: http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/01/astronomers-rush-to-study-new-nearby-supernova/
And: http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2014/01220929-super-close-supernova-in-m82.html
And probably a bunch of other places, too...

Good target for imaging if the clouds go away...

[Roy]

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/maps-faculty/maps-news-publication/maps1405

Report on discovery at UCL Mill Hill Observatory.

[Mike]

That's a great story Roy.

[Rick]

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/maps-faculty/maps-news-publication/maps1405

Report on discovery at UCL Mill Hill Observatory.

I particularly like this bit...

"The weather was closing in, with increasing cloud," Fossey says, "so instead of the planned practical astronomy class, I gave the students an introductory demonstration of how to use the CCD camera on one of the observatory's automated 0.35–metre telescopes."

A lucky choice, that night.

[MarkS]

Just shows what can be done in light polluted locations!

[Rick]

Shows what can be done if you don't let the weather put you off...

[Rick]

APOD: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140124.html