On May 19, 2023, a Japanese amateur astronomer named Koichi Itagaki discovered a supernova in the "Wheel" galaxy, which attracted the attention of amateur astronomers around the world and began to take many pictures of this rare phenomenon, especially since it is the closest supernova to Earth 5 years ago.

The supernova is defined as an explosion of a giant star, which usually occurs at the end of its life when the equilibrium in the interior of the star is broken between the forces of nuclear fusion and the forces of pressure due to the star's enormous gravity, this type of explosion is the strongest in the whole universe, and it is so powerful that amateur astronomers were able to observe the last explosion in a galaxy that is 21 light years away from Earth, and one light year is equal to about 9.6 trillion kilometers.

This isn't the first time Koichi Itagaki has been able to observe phenomena of this kind, as he has discovered more than 100 supernova inside and outside our galaxy, along with 3 comets, 5 new planets, and 5 luminous blue variable stars, all of which he is not specialized in.

The supernova in the "wheel" galaxy discovered by the Japanese amateur astronomer before and after the explosion (British Astronomical Society)

Possible shine for medium and large telescopes

The airwheel galaxy appears to have been the source of previous supernovae that caught the attention of astronomers and amateurs alike: in 2011 another supernova appeared at one of the outer ends of the galaxy, but it was less bright than the new supernova.

The recently discovered supernova was named SN 2023ixf, and when it was discovered, its luminosity in the sky was about 2023.14 but then rose to 9.

For example, the luminosity of the full moon in the sky is (-12.6), while the star of the Yemeni poetry, which is the brightest star in the sky, has a value of (−1.46), and the actual eagle star, which is less bright than its predecessor, ascends to the positive side with a value of (0.33), and so on.

A medium to large telescope (e.g., with a diameter of 8 to 14 inches) can clearly observe this new supernova, with this degree of luminosity.

The location of the Wheel Galaxy in the constellation Big Dipper (Stellarium software)

Travel to Big Dipper

To reach this supernova, all you need is to know the position of the constellation Big Dipper in the sky, and currently it is one of the constellations that you can see directly if you raise your head to the sky, as you will find it exactly above you around nine to ten in the evening local time.

The main structure of the constellation consists of 7 stars that together make the shape of a huge pan, the airwheel galaxy is located above the point between the stars "Alkaid" and "Apron" (Mizar).

Scientists expect the supernova to continue to appear for months to come, making it a suitable opportunity for amateur astronomers in the Arab world to observe the phenomenon and take a series of interesting photos.