London: A supernova millions of light years away from the Earth has become visible with a pair of binoculars.
Star-gazers will be watching the most visible exploding star since 1954 in the skies above Britain this week.
The celestial event is one of the closest stellar explosions to Earth since 1987, and is the nearest example of its type to be seen from Earth in 40 years.
Named PTF-11kly, the supernova is expected to be at its brightest best between September 9 and 12, visible all over Britain, the Telegraph reports.
Mark Sullivan, the astrophysicist heading the Oxford team examining the supernova, said: "For many it could be a once in a lifetime chance to see a supernova blossom and then fade before their eyes. We may not see another like it for over 100 years."
IANS
First Published: Friday, September 09, 2011, 00:19