Hey SpaceBloggers!
We preempt this weeks blogpost of Space Game to bring you a fast breaking report of astronomical proportions. Are you ready? Here it is…
A star exploded in the Pinwheel galaxy 21 million years ago!!!
Fast breaking? (you ask) That’s right! (I answer) Even thought the star exploded 21 million years ago, it did so in a galaxy so far, far away that light from the explosion is just now reaching Earth. And it won’t be around for long.
Light rays from the supernova first hit Earth a couple of weeks ago, Tuesday, August 24th. The explosion was noticed within hours by crack scientists at the Palomar Observatory. It has been getting brighter each night and will reach its peak September 9 and 10, 2011. You can see the real thing – an exploding star – every night this week with a good pair of binoculars.
To see what you’re looking for, check out this Astronomy Picture of the Day:
Image Credit: D. Andrew Howell & BJ Fulton (LCOGT) et al., Faulkes Telescope North, LCOGT
Happy star watching, Space Bloggers! See you next week with the 3rd installment of Space Game: Where in the Solar System is Destination Ten?
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