In a new image from the European Southern Observatory (ESO), astronomers have captured a stunning view
Located approximately 500 million light years awayyears from Earth in the constellation Sculptor, the Cartwheel Galaxy is a spiral galaxy that merged with a neighboring smaller galaxy several million years ago, resulting in its unusual double-ring shape.
Using the ESO New Technologies Telescope in Chile,Astronomers photographed the Cartwheel Galaxy in December 2021, only to realize that a supernova had recently erupted in the lower left region of the galaxy.
Supernovae – these are bright stellar explosions that occur when massive stars reach the end of their lives. The explosion may be visible to observers for months or even years.
And this particular supernova happened quiterecently. Scientists were able to compare the new images with those taken in August 2014, which did not show any signs of a supernova, ESO said in a statement.
Pay attention to the lower left part of both pictures of "Cart Wheels"
Source: Space.com