A European Space Agency photo shows a seam of stars at the centre of the Milky WayWASHINGTON (AFP) -- Astronomers have discovered the most recent supernova in our Milky Way, hoping it will further knowledge about the spectacular stellar explosions and the workings of our galaxy, a research paper said Wednesday.
Named G1.9+0.3, the supernova in the constellation Sagitarius is some 140 years old and was detected through radio and X-ray telescopes, since the original, dazzling explosion was hidden from view by a dense field of gas and dust near the galaxy center, where it took place.
It is about 200 years younger than Cassiopeia A, the last known Milky Way supernova that exploded around 1680. Age estimates are based on the rate of expansion of the supernova remains -- the faster the expansion the more recent the explosion.
Stephen Reynolds of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, who led the study, said the new supernova was first noticed by astronomers more than 20 years ago, when the original explosion was estimated to have happened 400-1,000 years ago. full story
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