SN 2003gd
Encyclopedia
SN 2003gd was a type II-P supernova
occurring in the spiral galaxy Messier 74
in the constellation
Pisces
. SN 2003gd was discovered on 12 June 2003 by Robert Evans
, using a 0.31m reflector
,
and its discovery was confirmed on 13 June 2003 by R. H. McNaught using the 1.0m telescope at the
Siding Spring Observatory
.
had been observed approximately 200 days before the explosion with the Hubble Space Telescope
, and about 300 days before using the Gemini Telescope
. Astronomers were able to identify an object in these pre-supernova images that was in the same position as SN 2003gd, and which is believed to be the supernova's progenitor star. This progenitor star was a red supergiant
, consistent with the expectations of existing single-star stellar evolution
models. It is the first progenitor of a normal type II-P supernova to have ever been detected.
Supernova
A supernova is a stellar explosion that is more energetic than a nova. It is pronounced with the plural supernovae or supernovas. Supernovae are extremely luminous and cause a burst of radiation that often briefly outshines an entire galaxy, before fading from view over several weeks or months...
occurring in the spiral galaxy Messier 74
Messier 74
Messier 74 is a face-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces. It is at a distance of about 32 million light-years away from Earth. The galaxy contains two clearly defined spiral arms and is therefore used as an archetypal example of a Grand Design Spiral Galaxy...
in the constellation
Pisces
Pisces (constellation)
Pisces is a constellation of the zodiac. Its name is the Latin plural for fish, and its symbol is . It lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east...
. SN 2003gd was discovered on 12 June 2003 by Robert Evans
Robert Evans (astronomer)
Robert Owen Evans is a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia and an amateur astronomer who holds the all-time record for visual discoveries of supernovae ....
, using a 0.31m reflector
Reflecting telescope
A reflecting telescope is an optical telescope which uses a single or combination of curved mirrors that reflect light and form an image. The reflecting telescope was invented in the 17th century as an alternative to the refracting telescope which, at that time, was a design that suffered from...
,
and its discovery was confirmed on 13 June 2003 by R. H. McNaught using the 1.0m telescope at the
Siding Spring Observatory
Siding Spring Observatory
Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia, part of the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the Australian National University , incorporates the Anglo-Australian Telescope along with a collection of other telescopes owned by the Australian National...
.
Progenitor
Messier 74Messier 74
Messier 74 is a face-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces. It is at a distance of about 32 million light-years away from Earth. The galaxy contains two clearly defined spiral arms and is therefore used as an archetypal example of a Grand Design Spiral Galaxy...
had been observed approximately 200 days before the explosion with the Hubble Space Telescope
Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope that was carried into orbit by a Space Shuttle in 1990 and remains in operation. A 2.4 meter aperture telescope in low Earth orbit, Hubble's four main instruments observe in the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared...
, and about 300 days before using the Gemini Telescope
Gemini Observatory
The Gemini Observatory is an astronomical observatory consisting of two telescopes at sites in Hawai‘i and Chile. Together, the twin Gemini telescopes provide almost complete coverage of both the northern and southern skies...
. Astronomers were able to identify an object in these pre-supernova images that was in the same position as SN 2003gd, and which is believed to be the supernova's progenitor star. This progenitor star was a red supergiant
Red supergiant
Red supergiants are supergiant stars of spectral type K or M. They are the largest stars in the universe in terms of volume, although they are not the most massive...
, consistent with the expectations of existing single-star stellar evolution
Stellar evolution
Stellar evolution is the process by which a star undergoes a sequence of radical changes during its lifetime. Depending on the mass of the star, this lifetime ranges from only a few million years to trillions of years .Stellar evolution is not studied by observing the life of a single...
models. It is the first progenitor of a normal type II-P supernova to have ever been detected.