A quick reminder to all of my readers that these are the last few days to observe supernova SN2014J, the closest supernova of this type in over a century. As I wrote when it was first discovered, this event is rare in that it should be visible to amateur astronomers as well as the big observatories. (It is actually so bright that many of the automated supernovae searches missed it, because they are programmed to search for faint signals)

The supernova is located in M82, and although it is a magnitude 11 event it does require a decent telescope (probably four to six inch aperture is the minimum). I have heard a few reports of astrophotographers managing to capture it without a telescope, but due to the poor weather in my hometown I haven't been able to confirm or refute this information. In theory it should be possible, but will require a high focal length lens, a long exposure time, and of course a tripod capable of tracking.

So if you are lucky enough to have clear skies, now is the time to get out and have a look at it. It probably won't happen again in our lifetimes.