Amazing images
Hubble uncovers supernova secrets
15 January 2024
© ESA
A new Hubble Space Telescope image shows the tiny galaxy UGC 5189A, located about 150 million light years away in the constellation of Leo, in stunning detail. The space telescope, which has been observing the universe since 1990, has been studying this galaxy since 2010, with scientists using this investigation to learn more about a supernova that occurred in this galaxy over 150 million years ago. Over just three years, this supernova, called SN 2010jl, emitted at least 2.5 billion times more visible energy than the Sun released over the same time frame across all wavelengths. SN 2010jl is a Type II supernova, meaning that it marks the death of a massive star that during its life would have had a mass of at least 40 to 50 times that of the Sun. These explosions occur when these massive stars have run out of the fuel for nuclear fusion, and the energy that for millions or billions of years has supported them against the inward push of gravity ceases.