Supernova in M82 by tommorules
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Description
I was very fortunate to have been trying to image one of our galactic neighbours earlier in January, shortly before a significant cosmic event. I managed therefore to get this before & after shot. Not, I have to say of the highest quality, but still quite satisfying - telescope was out-of focus for the second image dammit!!
Google the image title and you'll find lots of coverage of this exploding star in the press.
M82 is also known as the Cigar Galaxy - because of its shape, and is 12 million light years away. So this massive event happened 12 million years ago, and we are only witnessing it now. You were a chimpanzee back then, and I was an orangutan :)
Given that all the stars you see above you are in our own galaxy, this gives you some idea how bright the supernova really is, I mean... was. i feel very sorry for its galactic neighbours...
Scientists believe that, while a few chemical elements were made during the "big-bang" at the start of the universe, this event wasn't hot enough to create many of the heavier elements, a lot of which are present in the human body. Only the heat generated by an exploding star is fierce enough to create these heavy elements.
In other words, without supernovae, human life on earth would not exist... and we are all made, at least in part, of star-stuff.
Thanks for looking!
Steve.
Comments (24)
jayfar
Most interesting Steve and two super shots. Fancy all that going on !
digdugnv
Congratulations. I know how hard it is to capture something like a supernova. I haven't been so lucky in my own quest. Well Done!!!
giulband
great !
verbumdomini
incredible
alanwilliams
fascinating work
vladhome
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
Quest
Extraordinary luck indeed, it’s not everyone that gets a once in a life time opportunity like this. Despite the not too badly blurry image on Jan 25th , I would be dancing a little jig in celebration of this awesome capture. Congratulations, if I may ask, what type, size and make of instrument were you using for this exposure?
flavia49
amazing pictures
Chaosphoto
damn, talk about being in the right place at the right time. Well done !!
sandra46
EXCELLENT WORK!
MrsRatbag
It's amazing to see, and almost impossible to assimilate the facts; my mind is blown! Very cool indeed!
blinkings
Steve, what a sensational post. I just have one correction, I was pond scum not a chimp!
whaleman
I'm so happy that you were able to achieve this monumental before/after shot! It is most impressive!
angora
awesome!! brilliant job!!
WWBarros
Wow, this is great !!! Congrats !! What is the equipment you are using?
ontar1
These are fantastic captures!
bebopdlx
You are very lucky to have seen this.
tulipe
Very interesting!
Celart
Amazing
vis151
Steve! You did great! I wish I had a closeup of before. I plan to get a another photo soon if weather permits.
tofi
Now this is really neat! Great capture of these two phenomenons! Incredible to be able to see what is really going on beyond our vision. Exquisite work here, and a fascinating subject!
kgb224
Amazing captures my friend. God bless.
brewgirlca
Great bit of science here and I instantly realized what a lucky bloke you had been for having taken a shot of the galaxy just a few weeks before the big event. Too bad about the focus but still a thrill to have captured it. One minor point, 12 million years ago I was actually an ancestor to a chimp but not yet a chimp :-)
Gammacrucis
You lucky... it's a pity for the neighbours !!!! we came from supernova explosion..so there'll be life ....later ^_^