This weekend, casual observers and?seasoned stargazers alike can see the death of a star 21 million light-years away. While that may sound incredibly far, this?supernova is actually the closest to Earth in the last 25 years. Since astronomers caught the dramatic celestial event within hours of its explosion, the research community is pointing its telescopes toward the Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major, better known as the Big Dipper.
A supernova is an intense, highly luminous stellar event that arises when a white dwarf star collects too much mass from a nearby companion in space. When the white dwarf reaches a critical mass, it collapses into itself, causing a fusion of carbon and oxygen that gives rise to a violent explosion ? and a?beautiful celestial show for those of us here on Earth.
This supernova, known as PTF 11kly, will increase in brightness until September 9, its expected peak. From now until it begins to fade, the event will be viewable with a telescope or binoculars.
Newscenter via?Wired
[Image credit:?NASA Goddard]
This post originally appeared on Tecca
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