A rare glimpse at a relatively nearby supernova offers clues to how stars die
SN 2023ixf, spotted in May, was in just the right place at the right time
![An image of a red supergiant star exploded as the supernova SN2023ixf in the Pinwheel galaxy.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/101723_ec_new-supernova_bright-spot_feat.jpeg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
A red supergiant star in the Pinwheel galaxy, shown here in an image from the International Gemini Observatory, exploded as the supernova SN 2023ixf this May.
International Gemini Observatory/AURA/NOIRLab, NSF