Posted on 08/26/2011 5:01:42 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: A nearby star has exploded and telescopes all over the world are turning to monitor it. The supernova, dubbed PTF 11kly, was discovered by computer only two days ago as part of the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) sky survey utilizing the wide angle 1.2-meter Samuel Oschin Telescope in California. Its rapid recovery makes it one of the supernovas caught most soon after ignition. PTF 11kly occurred in the photogenic Pinwheel galaxy (M101), which, being only about 21 million light years away, makes it one of the closest supernovas seen in decades. Rapid follow up observations have already given a clear indication that PTF 11kly is a Type Ia supernova, a type of white dwarf detonation that usually progresses in such a standard manner than it has helped to calibrate the expansion history of the entire universe. Studying such a close and young Type Ia event, however, may yield new and unique clues. If early indications are correct, PTF 11kly should brighten to about visual magnitude 10 in the coming weeks, making it possible to monitor with even moderately sized telescopes.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit: D. Andrew Howell & BJ Fulton (LCOGT) et al., Faulkes Telescope North, LCOGT]
Looks pretty insignificant from where I sit. LOL
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It’s just an itty bitty baby supernova!
I thought I noticed that the other night.
Another Awesome one!
...am I missing?
Oh, yeah, would ya look at that. It’s a...super nova...thing. Hangin’ right out there for the whole universe to see.
What is a moderately sized telescope?
Well, cripes, here I’m lookin’ at that big bright dot at the top, and all the while it’s that itty bitty blue thing near the bottom that’s causing all the commotion.
Wow, dude. Astronomy’s, like, tough.
Definatly not news. Probly happened a couple of million years ago.
Cool. Thanks!
I rarely break the scope out .. good binocs may work too
don’t get to see one of these everyday, yaknow.
“I’m not a rocket scientist, but what is it about...most soon after”
Like, everyone knows it’s the superlative relating to the well known property of “soonafterness.” It also means science reporters are the most worse than writers of the world of journalism.
Oh, yeah, duh. I kept fergetted people who can’t pass the fourth grade go straight to journalism skool.
I heard one of the bobbleheads on FOX today talking about photos of the hurricane taken from the space station 230 MILLION miles away.
LOL ijits
But nothing like the supernova that resulted in the crab nebula which was only 6000 LY away.
I think they meant to say "a type of white little person detonation"......or a "little white person detonation."
If anyone wants to know where to look, (not that you’d see much!) find the big dipper and make an equilateral triangle using the last two stars of the dippers handle. M101 will be the top angle in your triangle.
Will make a good standard candle for cosmologists.
I read a 6" (reflector) could detect it, but you'd probably need very dark skies, and have a good knowledge of where to look and how to see it.
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