Closest Supernova in 25 years

Saaron

This is pretty amazing.

http://www.space.com/12745-closest-supernova-discovered-star-explosion.html


Does anybody think this will be visible to the naked eye in the coming weeks/months or is it too far and dim?
Bit of an amateur so I am:rolleyes:

ScrubsfanChris

That article doesn't mention any specfic location in the sky, "The survey spotted PTF 11kly blazing up in the Big Dipper, otherwise known as the constellation Ursa Major." is a pretty vague description of its location.

Had a quick look anyway and didn't see anything there with the naked eye.

shedweller

Seems a little more accurate than that:

The supernova, or exploded star, flared up Tuesday night (Aug. 23) in the Pinwheel Galaxy, just 21 million light-years from Earth.

I can't check anyway due to the ever present clouds.....:(

Calibos

A supernova has to be somewhere in our Galaxy to have a chance of seeing it naked eye. In a galaxy 21 million Lightyears away? Not a chance. Telescopes only I am afraid.

Saaron

Calibos wrote: »

A supernova has to be somewhere in our Galaxy to have a chance of seeing it naked eye. In a galaxy 21 million Lightyears away? Not a chance. Telescopes only I am afraid.

Yeah i figured, I should have copped on a bit more and realized at the distance the chances of seeing the supernova would probably be impossible.

Popoutman

At it's brightest it should be visible with some difficulty in a 6"/150mm scope, and relatively easy in an 8" scope.

There are some thoughts that 2011fe will be visible in large (15x70 or larger) binoculars but I am not so sure about that.

Mickeroo

Says in this article it should be visible with decent binoculars in a couple of weeks.

Conor108

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJIaC7DU0mw

So by this weekend with decent binoculars. Peak brightness - Sept. 9th