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Thecla
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The frequency of supernovas in our galaxy is about one per century. Has there been a supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy in the last 200 years?
In summary, the frequency of supernovas in our galaxy is about one per century. The Andromeda Galaxy has had a supernova in the last 200 years, specifically S Andromedae which reached magnitude 6. However, some people were disappointed that it did not go off a decade later when photographic plates were available. Similarly, some may be annoyed that SN1987A went off before the Super-Kamiokande was operational and others may be frustrated that Betelgeuse will likely go supernova 10 years after their death.
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Drakkith
Mentor
- 22,979
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Wow that sucker reached magnitude 6...
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twofish-quant
- 6,821
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Yup, and it's really annoying that it didn't go off ten years later when we would have had photographic plates.
On the other hand, I know more than a few people that were annoyed that SN1987A went off when it did rather than a decade later when Super-Kamiokande was in operation.
On the other hand, I know more than a few people that were annoyed that SN1987A went off when it did rather than a decade later when Super-Kamiokande was in operation.
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Drakkith
Mentor
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twofish-quant said:
I'm going to be annoyed with Betelgeuse when it goes supernova 10 years after I die.
Related to Supernova in Andromeda Galaxy?
1. What is a supernova?
A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs at the end of a star's life. It is one of the most energetic events in the universe, releasing an enormous amount of energy and creating new elements.
2. What causes a supernova to occur?
A supernova can occur in two ways: when a massive star runs out of nuclear fuel and cannot support its own weight, causing it to collapse and explode, or when a white dwarf star in a binary system accretes enough matter from its companion star to reach a critical mass and undergo a thermonuclear explosion.
3. How far away is the Andromeda Galaxy?
The Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31, is approximately 2.5 million light years away from Earth. It is the closest spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way and is visible to the naked eye in dark skies.
4. When was the last supernova observed in the Andromeda Galaxy?
The last supernova observed in the Andromeda Galaxy was SN 1885A, which was discovered in 1885. It was a Type Ia supernova, caused by the explosion of a white dwarf star, and was visible to the naked eye for several months.
5. What can studying a supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy tell us about the universe?
Studying supernovae in the Andromeda Galaxy can provide valuable insights into the evolution of stars and galaxies. It can also help us understand the distribution of elements in the universe, as supernovae are responsible for creating many of the elements we find on Earth. Additionally, studying supernovae can help us improve our understanding of the expansion rate of the universe and the nature of dark energy.
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