"Heavy Metal" Supernova

This optical image from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) shows the metal-rich spiral galaxy NGC 3191, the host of the closest superluminous supernova to the Earth discovered to date, SN 2017egm. The supernova is visualized by adding a simulated source that matches the measured position, blue color and intensity of this intense cataclysmic event.

Credit: Pan-STARRS/CfA/M. Nicholl et al.