How are supernovae named?
Channel: AstroPhil
Date: 2024-03-02

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Welcome, my name is Phil, and in this video I explain how a supernova is named. 

The current system for giving a permanent designation results in a code like name comprised of letters and numbers, like SN1994D. Here the first 2 letters denote that the object is a supernova (SN). The 4 numbers represent the year of discovery and the last letter or letters give the number of the discovery in that year.