Have you heard about the supernova that Peter Nugent found on August 24, 2011? A supernova is a star that explodes and becomes exceedingly bright. Scientists are excited about this one because it is relatively close by (well, compared to most others).
Through the wonders of YouTube, here is Peter Nugent to tell you about it himself.
Although he says you can see it with binoculars, EarthSky says you will have a better chance with a small telescope in “Top 10 tips for seeing the supernova.”
If you live near San Francisco, you might want to find out about visiting the Chabot Space and Science Center on September 10, 2011 for a viewing through a big telescope (weather permitting).
Our weather forecast indicates a lot of clouds over the next few days. Let us know if you get to see it.
