Bright Supernova in M101, Solar Close-up, and a Replay of a Star's Death

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Read news from the world of astronomy for the week of May 26, 2023.

A supergiant star has exploded in M101, creating a supernova visible in small scopes. Plus, the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope has released detailed, close-up images of the Sun. And a replay of a star's death is shedding light on the universe's expansion.

The Sun Gets Its Close-up: Images from New Solar Telescope

The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope shows some stunning detail on the Sun.

Replay of Star’s Death Sheds Light on Universe’s Expansion

A cosmic lens magnified the light of an exploding star. Now, astronomers are using observations of that supernova to calculate the universe’s current rate of expansion.

Radio Waves Unveil Supernova Origin

Astronomers have observed an unusual supernova, in which a helium star fed a white dwarf until it exploded.

Observing Highlights

This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 26 – June 4

The Moon shines in the Sickle of Leo after dusk tonight. It's almost between the Sickle's two brightest stars: Regulus lower left of the Moon, and fainter Gamma Leonis to the Moon's upper right. Come Saturday evening the Moon shines under Leo's midsection.

Bright Supernova Blazes in M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy

A supergiant star exploded as a supernova in galaxy M101 in Ursa Major. It’s now bright enough to see in a 4.5-inch telescope!

May: Leo is King in Late Spring

This month’s episode takes you on a guided tour of the key stars and planets that you’ll see on May evenings.

Community

Hofstra University’s Astronomy Festival on the National Mall (AFNM)

Hofstra University’s Astronomy Festival on the National Mall (AFNM) in Washington, DC, offers visitors a free guided tour of the sky on Saturday, June 24, from 6-11 p.m. This year’s festival is presented in association with Smithsonian Solstice Saturday and is organized by Dr. Donald Lubowich.