SN 2006X

SN 2006X was a Type Ia supernova about 1 [E22 m|65 million] light-years away in Messier 100, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenices. The supernova was independently discovered in early February 2006 by Shoji [Suzuki (astronomer)|Shoji Suzuki] of Japan and Marco Migliardi of Italy.
Image:Evolution of SN 2006X Spectrum.jpg|thumb|left|Evolution of the Sodium line in the spectrum of SN 2006X as a function of time.
SN 2006X is particularly significant because it is a Type Ia supernova. These supernovae are used for measuring distances, so observations of these supernovae in nearby galaxies are needed for calibration. SN 2006X is located in a well-studied galaxy, and it was discovered two weeks before its peak brightness, so it may be extraordinarily useful for understanding supernovae and for calibrating supernovae for distance measurements. It may even be possible to identify the progenitor of this supernova.