Spectacular supernova to light up skies this week

[WyoSeeker]

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90059298?Spectacular%20supernova%20to%20light%20up%20skies%20this%20week

It should be a starry, starry night Thursday and Friday.

Astronomers and sky watchers have their eyes focused on the Pinwheel Galaxy M101, located above the Big Dipper, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most speculator exploding star in decades over the next few nights.

If you miss the stellar event this week, you are out of luck. It may be 100 years before anyone will have the opportunity to see a similar exploding star. It is now so bright it can be seen without binoculars, even though it is some 21 million light years away, or about 1,240 trillion miles.

The supernova, or exploding star, was first spotted on Aug. 23 by scientists at Oxford University and astronomical survey the Palomar Transient Factory. Since the first sighting, telescopes all over the world have been focused on the celestial fireworks, including NASA's Swift and Hubble Telescopes.

The best viewing is expected to be Thursday and Friday.

[nearing]

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90059298?Spectacular%20supernova%20to%20light%20up%20skies%20this%20week

It should be a starry, starry night Thursday and Friday.

Astronomers and sky watchers have their eyes focused on the Pinwheel Galaxy M101, located above the Big Dipper, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most speculator exploding star in decades over the next few nights.

If you miss the stellar event this week, you are out of luck. It may be 100 years before anyone will have the opportunity to see a similar exploding star. It is now so bright it can be seen without binoculars, even though it is some 21 million light years away, or about 1,240 trillion miles.

The supernova, or exploding star, was first spotted on Aug. 23 by scientists at Oxford University and astronomical survey the Palomar Transient Factory. Since the first sighting, telescopes all over the world have been focused on the celestial fireworks, including NASA's Swift and Hubble Telescopes.

The best viewing is expected to be Thursday and Friday.

Yeay, I look forward to it! Thank for bringing it to our attention, WS!

[WhiteFeather]

I hope its clear tonite, doesnt look good though,,,,, they have been spraying poisons in the sky this afternoon. I would of loved to see it, maybe it will clear later. Positive Thinking gets you everywhere.

[Flasky]

Argh. Too bad its like pouring down rain here...!

[DeDukshyn]

"above" the big dipper? Damn layman terms - I can't understand that ...

[nearing]

Good point, DeDukshyn. Do they mean find Big Dipper and tilt your gaze higher (away from Earth ) to see it?

[DeDukshyn]

Good point, DeDukshyn. Do they mean find Big Dipper and tilt your gaze higher (away from Earth ) to see it?

I'm assuming that, but what about Australians? What are they to do? Do they have the same sky as we do?

[nearing]

Good point, DeDukshyn. Do they mean find Big Dipper and tilt your gaze higher (away from Earth ) to see it?

I'm assuming that, but what about Australians? What are they to do? Do they have the same sky as we do?

Hmm, dunno. Spaceweather isn't mentioning it either.

_____________________
Here:

It's in the handle of the Big Dipper.

Supernova Erupts in M101 (http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/128430288.html)

Relatively bright at 8th magnitude but large and diffuse, M101 sits north of the last two stars in the Big Dipper's handle, forming a roughly equilateral triangle with them 6° on a side. The supernova is located about 4.4 arcminutes south (and a bit west) of M101's center at right ascension 14h 03m 05.8s, declination +54° 16′ 25″.

[DeDukshyn]

Good point, DeDukshyn. Do they mean find Big Dipper and tilt your gaze higher (away from Earth ) to see it?

I'm assuming that, but what about Australians? What are they to do? Do they have the same sky as we do?

Hmm, dunno. Spaceweather isn't mentioning it either.

Weird. I've been leery of "supernovas" ever since it appeared to me that TPTB were trying to pass off (or so it seemed to me), the potential sighting of Nibiru as a supernova ... that may occur in 2012 ... but their claim was that the nova would be visible for weeks - a star near Betelgeuse or something ... is a supernova supposed to last days? or weeks? I'm really confused now .... But something stinks, I can smell it.

[nearing]

Dang, would need some powerful binocs and I don't...

[DeDukshyn]

I got an old telescope I should dig up -- this is the second thread that has made me say that ... <God hints to DeDuskshyn through repeated synchronicity to get off his ass and do something ... > ;)

Thanks for the edit: -- I'll try to check that out tonight -- summer has finally hit Calgary. Not a cloud in site for many days :)

[nearing]

I got an old telescope I should dig up -- this is the second thread that has made me say that ... <God hints to DeDuskshyn through repeated synchronicity to get off his ass and do something ... > ;)

Thanks for the edit: -- I'll try to check that out tonight -- summer has finally hit Calgary. Not a cloud in site for many days :)

Awesome. Please report back!

[DeDukshyn]

I got an old telescope I should dig up -- this is the second thread that has made me say that ... <God hints to DeDuskshyn through repeated synchronicity to get off his ass and do something ... > ;)

Thanks for the edit: -- I'll try to check that out tonight -- summer has finally hit Calgary. Not a cloud in site for many days :)

Awesome. Please report back!

Couldn't see anything last night (damn Calgary has too many lights ... night viewing sucks) But I'll check again tonight, I may have the opputunity to go for a drive later -- if so I'll try to get out of the city a bit ...

[nearing]

Yes, better get out away from the lights! Not sure how much longer it will be visible.

[Unified Serenity]

I've got an inexpensive telescope on my deck. I'll see if I can find it. I'd hate to miss out on seeing this event. Sky is clear, so wish me luck!