[SunkenCiv]

[Composite Image Data: Subaru Telescope (NAOJ) and Robert Gendler; Processing: Robert Gendler]

[ClearCase_guy]

The Universe really is going down the drain!

[bigheadfred]

In fact, since the early 20th century at least nine supernovae, the death explosions of massive stars, were discovered in NGC 6946.

Just to keep that in perspective this galaxy has one about every 100 years.

Supernovae, the explosive end of the life of some stars, are among the most powerful and most spectacular events in the universe. They are also very rare. Our Milky Way galaxy, with tens of billions of stars, sees one of them explode every 100 years or so. The last known supernova in our galaxy was seen in 1604 and was studied by the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler. Since that time, we think that at least two stars may have exploded in the Milky Way, with the explosions veiled by some of the Milky Way's many thick, opaque clouds of dust and gas. But none have been seen.

So says this stargazer

[left that other site]

Awesome, as usual!