Scientists were thrilled to have captured images from the largest supernova explosion known to humankind. The star, named SN2006gy (SN for Super Nova, and the date it was discovered…an example of the patently droll naming conventions of astrophysicists everywhere) emitted four gamma ray bursts; the only time an event has been visible with the naked eye. The actual explosions happened before Earth was even in existence–about 7 and half billion years ago in Earth-time, which is about the same amount of time it takes any tech support person to answer your email. That should, in any case, give you an … Continue reading →