New Supernova SN 2014J in Galaxy M82

Discovered on 21/1/14 by Steve J. Fossey when it was at magnitude 11.7 SN 2014J has continued to brighten to about magnitude 10.7. This supernova is a Type Ia-HV (high-velocity) with exploded gases escaping at about 12,400 miles per second. The progenitor star was a white dwarf made of carbon and oxygen, which have now fused into silicon during the explosion.

This is the closest and brightest supernova for the last 21 years and will be visible in 3″ and 4″ amateur telescopes.

Images taken 26/1/14 between 5.23 to 6.07 am New Mexico time on iTelescope T11 (black and white ) and T3 (colour) RA: 09h 55m 54.1s DEC: 69° 40′ 59″ (J2000)

Click on images to enlarge….