M81 (left) and M82
(right). are two galaxies in the M81 Group,
a group
of 34 galaxies located in the constellation Ursa Major. (Image and notes from Wikipedia)
Supernova 2014J
On January 22, 2014 a supernova was
discovered in M-82. This companion galaxy to M-81, which had sported a supernova in
1993, lies in Ursa Major. At 11.4 million light years distance, it is the closest
to earth supernova in 40 years (M-81 is 11.7 million light years away). Having reached its peak brightness today, it will soon begin to
fade. Here is the link for an armchair view:
Sadly the sky is not cooperating here in
Southern California. The usual springtime mists and low clouds have made
searching for newly discovered Supernova 2014J
impossible. By the time the sky clears, it might be too late but if you are where the skies are clear, the link above shows a sky map as well as highlights of the supernova's week of brightening.
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