A supernova 'only' 21 million light-years away has been spotted. Here's how you can see it.

Doyle Rice, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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Stargazers, rejoice: There's a new supernova in the night sky. Though not visible with the naked eye, the supernova is bright enough to see through a small telescope, according to Sky and Telescope magazine.

Space.com reports that "this new supernova has appeared in a galaxy beyond our own. The galaxy is known as the Pinwheel Galaxy (also designated as Messier 101, or M101), and is a large, loosely wound, spread-out, open-faced spiral galaxy which can be viewed through a small telescope."

The supernova, the second-closest to Earth in a decade, is dubbed SN 2023ixf by the International Astronomical Union. It was discovered by Japanese astronomer Koichi Itagaki four days ago.

Spiral Galaxy M101 and new supernova, dubbed SN 2023ixf.
Spiral Galaxy M101 and new supernova, dubbed SN 2023ixf.

How can I see the supernova?

The Pinwheel Galaxy is located the border separating Ursa Major (the Big Bear) from Boötes the Herdsman, Space.com said. "If you locate the Big Dipper, imagine a line extending from two of the stars in the handle, Alioth and Mizar. Continuing that line a similar distance beyond Mizar will place one in the general vicinity of the galaxy."

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What is a supernova?

A supernova is the explosion of a star. It is the largest explosion that takes place in space, according to NASA. SN 2023ixf is a Type II supernova, an explosion that occurs after a massive star runs out of nuclear fuel and collapses.

The galaxy that contains the supernova is "only" about 21 million light-years away, NASA said, which makes it the closest supernova seen in the past five years, the second-closest in the past 10 years, and the second supernova found in M101 in the past 15 years.

The image above shows the galaxy two days ago with the supernova highlighted.

SN 2023ixf will probably brighten and remain visible to telescopes for months. Studying such a close and young Type II supernova may yield new clues about massive stars and how they explode, NASA said.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy now visible with a telescope