Closest supernova in years brings cosmic fireworks to Earth’s skies
The aptly named ‘Fireworks galaxy’ just had its tenth supernova in the past century, setting a record. Learn how to see it!
“When a massive star explodes at the end of its life, the explosion dispenses different elements-helium, carbon, oxygen, iron, nickel-across the universe, scattering stardust. That stardust now makes up the planets, including ours.”
-Michelle Cuevas
After burning bright for millions of years, the brightest stars of all are destined to explode in one final blaze of glory: a supernova. Capable of shining as bright as many billions of stars put together, the light from a single outburst can be seen with the naked eye if it occurs in our own galaxy, and through a modest telescope from even tens of millions of light years away. On May 14th, a brand new supernova was discovered just 22 million light years away in a prolific object known as the Fireworks galaxy, making it the closest supernova to grace the skies in three years. With warm weather and summer approaching, this is the best chance you’ll likely have to see one for yourself all year.
