SN 2004et
 | |
| Event type | Supernova |
|---|---|
| Type II-P | |
| Date | c. 22 million years ago (discovered 2004) |
| Instrument | Spitzer Space Telescope |
| Constellation | Cygnus |
| Right ascension | 20h 35m 25.33s |
| Declination | +60° 07′ 17.6″ |
| Epoch | J2000.0 |
| Distance | c. 22 million ly |
| Host | Fireworks Galaxy |
| Progenitor | Red supergiantc. 13.8 solar masses |
| Peak apparent magnitude | 20.89 |
| Other designations | SN 2004et |
 Related media on Commons | |
SN 2004et was a bright Type II-P supernova[1] that occurred in the spiral galaxy NGC 6946 (The Fireworks Galaxy[2]), about 22 million light years away from Earth.[3] The star that made the supernova was falsely identified to be a yellow supergiant but was then identified to be a red supergiant of 13.8 solar masses. SN 2004et showed some re-brightening about 1,000 days after the initial supernova probably due to ejecta of circumstellar material or thermal echo.[4][5] SN 2004et was one of the most luminous Type II-Psupernovae ever recorded and characterized.[6]
Discovery
SN 200et was discovered in 2004 and observed until 2009 by using the Spitzer InfarRed Array Camera,[7] a ultra sensitive infrared space telescope that is used to study planets, stars, asteroids, comets, and galaxies.[8]