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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>A Type Ia supernova, the brightest and most energetic
kind of stellar explosion – and the type that astronomers use to measure the
accelerating expansion of the universe – has been spotted in a nearby galaxy,
making it the closest such event in nearly 40 years.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>Astronomers working with the Palomar Transient Factory
(PTF), an automated sky survey based at the Mount Palomar observatory in
California, say their robotic telescope detected the new supernova on 23
August in the galaxy M101 located some 21 million light years
away.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>.... by the time the supernova peaks in early
September it could have a visual magnitude of 9 to 10, placing it within
reach of observers using small telescopes or binoculars under clear, dark
skies.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>More at <A
href="http://blogs.nature.com/news/2011/08/bright_supernova_one_of_the_ne.html">http://blogs.nature.com/news/2011/08/bright_supernova_one_of_the_ne.html</A></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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