Arp 220 (UGC 9913, IC 4553) and Supernovae

In summary, astronomers have discovered a record-breaking seven supernovae in the galaxy Arp 220, located 250 million light-years from Earth. This is the highest number of supernovae ever found in a single galaxy at one time. The discovery was made by a team of researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. Further studies on Arp 220 have also revealed its complex nature and the presence of radio supernovae in its nuclei.
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In a galaxy 250 million light-years from Earth, astronomers have spotted a record-breaking seven supernovae all found at the same time.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/10/111006-supernovas-universe-galaxy-evolution-arp-220-space-science/

In Arp 220, a galaxy 250 million light-years from Earth,
NatGeo said:
astronomers have spotted a record-breaking seven supernovae all found at the same time.

"As far as we know, only three supernovae in a single galaxy were found at once so far, which is already an impressive number," said study leader Fabien Batejat, a Ph.D. student at Chalmers University of Technology in Onsala, Sweden.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arp_220

http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2002/1181/

http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/1997/17

Arp 220 - IC 4553/4: understanding the system and diagnosing the ISM
http://www.astron.nl/~willem/papers/804WAB.pdf


http://tomsastroblog.com/archives/11079

http://www.chalmers.se/en/news/Pages/Astronomers-reveal-supernova-factory.aspx

Resolution of the Compact Radio Continuum Sources in Arp220
Fabien Batejat, John E. Conway, Rossa Hurley, Rodrigo Parra, Philip J. Diamond, Colin J. Lonsdale, Carol J. Lonsdale
http://arxiv.org/abs/1109.6443

A STARBURST REVEALED—LUMINOUS RADIO SUPERNOVAE IN THE NUCLEI OF ARP 220
Harding E. Smith,1,2 Carol J. Lonsdale,2 Colin J. Lonsdale,3 and Philip J. Diamond4
Received 1997 August 11; accepted 1997 November 17; published 1998 January 6
http://casswww.ucsd.edu/archive/personal/hsmith/pubs/975616.pdf


Title: The remarkable infrared galaxy ARP 220 = IC 4553
Authors: Soifer, B. T., Neugebauer, G., Helou, G., Lonsdale, C. J., Hacking, P., Rice, W., ,
Journal: Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters to the Editor (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 283, Aug. 1, 1984, p. L1-L4. NASA-supported research.
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1984ApJ...283L...1S


Arp 220 = UGC 9913 = IC 4553
 
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Wow...That is unreal. I'm hoping to see 1 supernova here in the milky way within my lifetime lol.
 

1. What is Arp 220 and why is it important to study?

Arp 220 is a galaxy located in the constellation of Serpens. It is an important object to study because it is considered a prototype of an ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG), meaning it emits an extremely high amount of infrared radiation. This makes it a valuable source for understanding the processes of galaxy formation and evolution.

2. What is the significance of the name "Arp 220"?

The name "Arp 220" comes from the Arp catalog, which is a compilation of peculiar galaxies created by astronomer Halton Arp in the 1960s. The "220" refers to its position in the catalog.

3. What is the connection between Arp 220 and supernovae?

Arp 220 has been observed to have a high rate of supernova explosions, with an average of one every 10 years. This is significantly higher than the rate in our own Milky Way galaxy. Studying these supernovae can provide insight into the star formation and chemical composition of Arp 220.

4. How do scientists study supernovae in Arp 220?

Scientists use a variety of telescopes and instruments, such as radio telescopes and infrared telescopes, to observe and analyze the supernovae in Arp 220. They also study the galaxy's properties, such as its mass and chemical composition, to understand the conditions that lead to these explosive events.

5. What have scientists learned from studying Arp 220 and supernovae?

Through studying Arp 220 and its supernovae, scientists have gained a better understanding of the processes of galaxy formation and evolution, as well as the role of supernovae in driving these processes. They have also been able to study the chemical composition and dynamics of a ULIRG in detail, providing valuable insights into the properties of these types of galaxies.

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