Massive supernova visible millions of light years from Earth
by Ian Sample Science editor from on (#2CHCH)
California observatory spots dying star 10,000 times brighter than the sun before explosion in a spiral galaxy 160m light years from constellation of Pegasus
Astronomers have captured the early death throes of a massive star that was torn apart in a violent explosion in a galaxy far from Earth.
The star was already 10,000 times brighter than the sun when it collapsed in a supernova that made it shine so intensely it was visible from modern telescopes in orbit and on the ground.