Astronomers using the Ultraviolet-Optical Telescope aboard NASA’s Swift spacecraft have snapped an image of a newly discovered stellar explosion dubbed SN 2014J.

The supernova occurred in the galaxy Messier 82, also known as the Cigar Galaxy, about 12 million light-years away from Earth.

It is one of the nearest supernovae to be observed in recent decades. The closest by far was SN 1987A in February 1987, located at a distance of 168,000 light years.

SN 2014J was discovered by British students from the University of London Observatory on January 21, 2014.

Spectra collected by astronomers at other observatories suggested that SN 2014J is a Type Ia supernova. It was caused by a white dwarf pulling matter off a larger star until it becomes unstable and explodes.

On January 22, 2014, just a day after SN 2014J, astronomers used NASA’s Swift’s spacecraft to capture the supernova and its host galaxy.

Although the supernova is unusually close, its light is attenuated by thick dust clouds in Messier 82, which may slightly reduce its apparent peak brightness.

“Interstellar dust preferentially scatters blue light, which is why Swift’s Ultraviolet-Optical Telescope sees SN 2014J brightly in visible and near-ultraviolet light but barely at all at mid-ultraviolet wavelengths,” said Dr Peter Brown of Texas A&M University, who is the leader of the Swift team.

SN 2014J provides astronomers with an important opportunity to study how interstellar dust affects its light. As a class, Type Ia supernovae explode with remarkably similar intrinsic brightness, a property that makes them useful ‘standard candles’ for exploring the distant Universe.

The astronomers expect SN 2014J to continue brightening into the first week of February, 2014 by which time it may be visible in binoculars.