PC Pals Forum

General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on March 14, 2010, 20:46

Title: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: sam on March 14, 2010, 20:46
http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/07/taking-the-pulse-of-a-supernova-ngc-4490/

Quote
Way out yonder some 40 to 50 million light years away in the constellation of Canes Venetici is a pair of interacting galaxies sometimes referred to as "The Cocoon". These two mis-shaped blobs of star stuff have already made their closest approach to each other and are now parting ways. Between them stretches a trail of stars that spans some 24,000 light years as they face each other showing off their numerous star-forming regions. But where there is life… There is death. Let's put our finger right on the pulse of a supernova.

Its in my favourite constellation! Canes Venetici... nice and a simple one.  :)x
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: Simon on March 14, 2010, 22:10
Quote
Way out yonder some 40 to 50 million light years away...

What's 10 million light years between friends?  ;D
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: sam on March 14, 2010, 22:18
 :laugh:
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: Clive on March 14, 2010, 22:26
It's a lovely constellation full of wonderful objects such as the WHIRLPOOL GALAXY (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlpool_Galaxy) and the globular cluster Messier 3 (http://www.gioldasis.com/gallery/v/Clusters/Messier+3+-+Globular+Cluster.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: sam on March 14, 2010, 22:34
indeed, just why its my favourite.. .also a constellation that's two stars always keeps me happy!
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: Clive on March 14, 2010, 22:39
And if you can find the Plough, you can find Canes Venaciti and it's deep sky treasures.
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: sam on March 14, 2010, 23:31
yep, nice and simple really. I always have fun pointing that one out - especially to newcomers.

And Clive, seriously using the plough... doesn't Mr Jag just use his GPS telescope?
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: Clive on March 15, 2010, 06:51
I'm used to star hopping and find it very satisfying.   :P
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: sam on March 15, 2010, 14:19
yeah I can appreciate that... nothing like finding the object on your own.
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: Clive on March 15, 2010, 19:28
My Meade ETX computer is one of the very early ones and it's not very good anyway.  I think they've improved dramatically over the years. 
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: sam on March 16, 2010, 01:44
yep indeed they have.

I assume yours doesn't have GPS? The newer ones do and they are pretty cool.
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: Clive on March 16, 2010, 09:44
No mine doesn't have GPS.  I have to get fixes on 3 stars which is easy enough to do but the system isn't good enough to get a requested object in the field of view.  Just outside maybe.   :laugh:  This was a well-known problem with the early systems and is what prompted the MIGHTY WEASNER (http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html) website to start up.  Have you used the GPS system?  I don't think anyone at our society has one. 
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: sam on March 16, 2010, 13:34
I've used one before (a few times, mostly people who have bought a telescope just cause and got a real expensive one cause they thought they had to) - was fantastic but not much better than the modern 3star alignment methods. The real solution is to get a fixed observatory though.

Oh and that looks like a useful site!
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: Clive on March 16, 2010, 16:07
For ETX owners it's the Bible.   8-)
Title: Re: Taking The Pulse Of A Supernova – NGC 4490
Post by: sam on March 17, 2010, 03:03
lol