Exploding star to be visible from Earth within a fortnight
The most visible exploding star in a generation will be visible in skies above Britain within a fortnight, Oxford University astronomers have announced.
The supernova will burn with the brightness of more than a billion Suns Photo: AP
The cosmic event, observed by Oxford scientists and American colleagues, is one of the closest stellar explosions to Earth since 1987, and is the nearest example of its type to be seen from Earth in 40 years.
The rare "type 1a" supernova – an event where a star explodes, then sucks up the energy from another nearby star and is reborn – happened in the Pinwheel Galaxy, located in the Great Bear constellation.
It is of particular interest to scientists because type 1a supernovae can be used to measure the size and age of the universe.
The supernova, dubbed PTF11kly, is close enough that astronomers will be able to study it in unprecedented detail, and Nasa announced it would tear up the Hubble telescope's work schedule to study the phenomenon from Saturday.
For the first three weeks after the explosion, the supernova will burn with the brightness of more than a billion Suns, but experts warned that it would still be difficult for the general public to locate in the night sky.
Dr Mark Sullivan, who led the Oxford team, said: "The best time to see this exploding star will be just after evening twilight in the Northern hemisphere in a week or so's time ... You'll need dark skies and a good pair of binoculars, although a small telescope would be even better."
Tom Boles, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Association, added: "Most amateur astronomers detect supernovas using electronic sensors, so to be able to see one at all is tremendous and to be able to see it using binoculars is pretty much unprecedented.
"To find it will be relatively easy if you know where to look, but someone who has not done it before will probably fail because you really need to know where the Pinwheel Galaxy is, and even then it will not appear that bright."
The discovery of the giant explosion just hours after it took place means astronomers will also get a rare chance to study the outer layers of the blast, which contain unburnt sections of the star.
Prof Andy Howell of the University of California Santa Barbara, one of the team who made the find, said: "We caught this supernova earlier than we’ve ever discovered a supernova of this type.
"On Tuesday, it wasn’t there. Then, on Wednesday, boom! There it was -caught within hours of the explosion. As soon as I saw the discovery image I knew we were onto something big.
“We are finding new clues to solving the mystery of the origin of these supernovae that has perplexed us for 70 years. Despite looking at thousands of supernovae, I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Dr Mark Sullivan, who led the Oxford team, said: "The best time to see this exploding star will be just after evening twilight in the Northern hemisphere in a week or so's time ... You'll need dark skies and a good pair of binoculars, although a small telescope would be even better."
Tom Boles, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Association, added: "Most amateur astronomers detect supernovas using electronic sensors, so to be able to see one at all is tremendous and to be able to see it using binoculars is pretty much unprecedented.
"To find it will be relatively easy if you know where to look, but someone who has not done it before will probably fail because you really need to know where the Pinwheel Galaxy is, and even then it will not appear that bright."
The discovery of the giant explosion just hours after it took place means astronomers will also get a rare chance to study the outer layers of the blast, which contain unburnt sections of the star.
Prof Andy Howell of the University of California Santa Barbara, one of the team who made the find, said: "We caught this supernova earlier than we’ve ever discovered a supernova of this type.
"On Tuesday, it wasn’t there. Then, on Wednesday, boom! There it was -caught within hours of the explosion. As soon as I saw the discovery image I knew we were onto something big.
“We are finding new clues to solving the mystery of the origin of these supernovae that has perplexed us for 70 years. Despite looking at thousands of supernovae, I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
