The central portion of galaxy M82 includes the position of Supernova 2014J (north is at the top, east is to the left in the image) showing the supernova shortly after its explosion at near-infrared wavelengths (1.2, 1.65, and 2.2 microns), made by the FLITECAM instrument.
The central portion of galaxy M82 includes the position of Supernova 2014J (north is at the top, east is to the left in the image) showing the supernova shortly after its explosion at near-infrared wavelengths (1.2, 1.65, and 2.2 microns), made by the FLITECAM instrument. Supernovae are surprisingly relevant to life on Earth; most of the atoms in the universe more massive than iron (such as nickel, lead, gold, silver, and platinum) are made in the incomprehensible heat of supernova explosions. All of the gold, silver, and nickel were forged originally in supernova explosions that happened long before Earth formed. For more info: http://go.nasa.gov/1ClSB1P