Friday, June 10, 2011

Supernovae Discoveries

Supernova Discovered in M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy. "A new supernova (exploding star) has been discovered in the famous Whirlpool Galaxy, M51."

2011 06 02 M51L300002 580x383 copy

Almost 25 years ago another supernova was seen in the LMC and astronomers have been looking at it since. "Now, the supernova debris, which has faded over the years, is brightening. This means that a different power source has begun to light the debris. The debris of SN 1987A is beginning to impact the surrounding ring, creating powerful shock waves that generate X-rays observed with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Those X-rays are illuminating the supernova debris and shock heating is making it glow in visible light."

Hs 2011 21 a web

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