I was fortunate to have been photographing this galaxy when a supernova occurred. These two images show a “before and after” view as a star exploded over 50 million light years away. [OC]
For a look at my adventures into the hidden universe, find me on Instagram @thevastreaches
I have been working on this galaxy for a few months. During my time imaging, I was lucky enough to capture a supernova event. This true color picture is compiled from 800 images through different filters.
Messier 61 is over 50 million light years away. Light from this explosion is just now reaching us. The galaxy is riddled with the pink glow of hydrogen emission and the blue shimmer of young energetic supergiant stars. This indicates it’s actively forming and recycling star stuff. With a supernova in there, that stellar circle of life is really on display.
About the supernova: This is a Type II event. The massive star depleted its nuclear fuel. As it exhausted light elements like hydrogen and helium, it began fusing heavier and heavier elements, eventually reaching iron. At this point, it could no longer support itself with outward pressure against the tremendous gravity. This type of supernova starts with an implosion and an almost immediate reversal to a massive explosion which, as you can see here, can literally outshine an entire galaxy for many weeks. Though this process, it seeds the building blocks for a new generation.
My 5th grade teacher (10 years old for non-Americans) told us about Betelgeuse and how it could turn supernova any day. At the time I didn’t understand “any day” in a cosmic sense is a lot different than “any day” to a 10 year old.but from that day on I was fascinated by the cosmos and I had always wanted to see a supernova. That was just about 20 years ago now, so thank you, OP, for delivering on a childhood dream of mine
![image showing I was fortunate to have been photographing this galaxy when a supernova occurred. These two images show a “before and after” view as a star exploded over 50 million light years away. [OC]](ec4aee78-22f0-59e8-9005-c7b79087db2f.jpg)
TheVastReaches on May 24th, 2020 at 20:13 UTC »
For a look at my adventures into the hidden universe, find me on Instagram @thevastreaches
I have been working on this galaxy for a few months. During my time imaging, I was lucky enough to capture a supernova event. This true color picture is compiled from 800 images through different filters.
Messier 61 is over 50 million light years away. Light from this explosion is just now reaching us. The galaxy is riddled with the pink glow of hydrogen emission and the blue shimmer of young energetic supergiant stars. This indicates it’s actively forming and recycling star stuff. With a supernova in there, that stellar circle of life is really on display.
About the supernova: This is a Type II event. The massive star depleted its nuclear fuel. As it exhausted light elements like hydrogen and helium, it began fusing heavier and heavier elements, eventually reaching iron. At this point, it could no longer support itself with outward pressure against the tremendous gravity. This type of supernova starts with an implosion and an almost immediate reversal to a massive explosion which, as you can see here, can literally outshine an entire galaxy for many weeks. Though this process, it seeds the building blocks for a new generation.
💥 —> 🔭 Celestron EdgeHD 8” ZWO ASI1600MM HaLRGB 27 hours total FEB-MAY 2020
Morall_tach on May 24th, 2020 at 20:52 UTC »
Inb4 "TECHNICALLY this star exploded 50 million years ago and the light is just reaching us now." We know.
Nepiton on May 25th, 2020 at 00:45 UTC »
My 5th grade teacher (10 years old for non-Americans) told us about Betelgeuse and how it could turn supernova any day. At the time I didn’t understand “any day” in a cosmic sense is a lot different than “any day” to a 10 year old.but from that day on I was fascinated by the cosmos and I had always wanted to see a supernova. That was just about 20 years ago now, so thank you, OP, for delivering on a childhood dream of mine