Type Ia supernova SN 2026aaiv discovered in NGC 7331
A rare Type Ia supernova, SN 2026aaiv, just popped up in the spiral galaxy NGC 7331, about 45 million light-years away in Pegasus. It was discovered on September 1 and is the result of a white dwarf star exploding.
The galaxy is visible from both hemispheres, but you'll need a telescope to catch it.
Astrophotographers captured SN 2026aaiv brightening
Astrophotographers wasted no time capturing this cosmic event. Andrew McCarthy got a shot during his marathon imaging project on September 7, and Tom Masterson, Mountain Operations Manager at the Mount Wilson Observatory, followed with his big telescope on September 10 using a 60-inch telescope.
By September 11, the supernova had reached magnitude 15.7 and was still getting brighter.
If you want to spot it yourself, look near Pegasus's Great Square using its coordinates.
NGC 7331 hosted SN 2025rbs
NGC 7331 isn't new to these explosive events: it hosted another Type Ia supernova last year (SN 2025rbs).
Discovered way back in 1784, this spiral galaxy hosted another Type Ia supernova last year (SN 2025rbs).