Messier 82 and supernova

M82 is a distance of 12 million light-years. It has thick areas of dust and sprays out hydrogen gas and has a bright center that creates massive star formations. The supernova is not in the central star-forming region but above the center of the galaxy.  On January 21, 2014, a group of astronomy students spotted a supernova in M82.  The supernova itself did not happen on January 21st, but did occur about 12 million years ago.  It's light is just now reaching Earth.  So, the supernova itself is ancient history, but it takes light 12 million years to travel to Earth.  Located in the constellation Ursa Major (Big Dipper).

Messier 82 (Cigar Galaxy)
5min X 12
Camera: QHY8 F/7
Telescope: Celestron 11" Edge HD guided
Mount: Celestron CGE Pro
Location: Zodiac Ranch, Fort Davis, TX
Dates: Early morning, February 28, 2014
Captured with Nebulosity and guided with PHD guiding. 
Processed with MaxIm DL 5 and photoshop.