IMAGE: Wolfgang Kloehr
When a large star gets to the end of its life, it runs out of the fuel that keeps the nuclear fusion going in the centre. At this point, the delicate balance of gravity and radiation pressure (caused by the nuclear reactions in the centre) is messed up and the star explodes violently as a
supernova explosion. For a short amount of time after the initial explosion - perhaps days to weeks - the supernova can outshine all the stars in a galaxy. Watching how the light of the supernova fades tells us quite a bit about what actually happened to the star.
On the 27th/28th June Wolfgang Kloehr, from Germany, discovered
a new supernova in the galaxy M51. The supernova, named
2005cs, is currently at a magnitude of 13.5 but is still rising. If you have your own telescope and are in a very dark place, you may even be able to observe it. If you want to have a look, you will need to point towards
R.A. = 13h29m52s.85, Dec. = +47deg10'36".3. Due to the high declination, this is mainly going to be visible to observers at northern latitudes.
Thanks to Megan for telling me about this one.
Posted in
astro blog by Stuart on Friday 01st Jul 2005 (
12:48 UTC) |
5 Comments |
Permalink
Comments: SN2005cs
I'll check it out if I ever get skies clear enough, thatks!
Posted by Tom on Friday 01st Jul 2005 (20:55 UTC)
Oh well, while you Northern folks are checking out the supernova, I'll be watching an Occultation of the Pleiades, if Hughie lets me. About 5 - 6 years ago there was a naked eye supernova in Vela, a joy for us Southrons. But of course I spent most of my time looking at clouds.
PS Stuart, I've emailed the massing image, it weighs in a 750 K when zipped, sorry. If it fails to turn up, let me know.
Posted by Ian Musgrave on Saturday 02nd Jul 2005 (00:42 UTC)
You can find the discovery pictures at
www.dsi-astronomie.de
Posted by Heinrich Schmitt on Tuesday 05th Jul 2005 (14:14 UTC)
Could you let me know if I am poiting at the right spot for SN 2005cs in this image? Greatly appreciated.
Regards - Ken
url: http://24.214.188.135/sn2005cs.html
Posted by Kens on Tuesday 19th Sep 2006 (14:58 UTC)
Ken, nice image!
I've made a version of your picture with what I think the position of SN2005cs is.
Posted by Stuart on Tuesday 19th Sep 2006 (16:50 UTC)