Sunday, Sunday

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This Superbowl Sunday is also Groundhog Day, cross-quarter day and Candlemas.

A newly discovered Supernova 11.4 million light years away is the brightest and closest seen since one found in 1987. It will brighten through first week of February and may possibly be visible in binoculars. It’s located in Ursa Major. A supernova close enough to earth could cause damage to the biosphere. In fact, scientists have found evidence that Earth has suffered supernova damage in the past.

What to look for this week: Jupiter in the evening; Mars, Saturn, Venus in the pre-dawn sky. The real challenge is to see the youngest (thinnest) crescent moon possible this Thursday at 5:28 pm.

Photo: NASA/Swift/P. Brown, TAMU

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