Pegasus hosts a rare, imageable supernova: SN 2026aaiv lights up 45 million light-years away
Astronomers have spotted SN 2026aaiv, a Type Ia supernova in spiral galaxy NGC 7331 about 45 million light-years away. First seen by the ATLAS survey on Sept. 1, 2026, the fading explosion is now visible to dedicated amateur observers, at magnitude around 15.7 as of Sept. 11, and can be imaged with a large telescope (roughly 14 inches or more) using averted vision. The SN lies in NGC 7331 near the Great Square of Pegasus, at coordinates RA 22h37m05.618s, Dec +34°24′35.37″. Observers have already captured images with sizable telescopes, highlighting a rare chance for non-professionals to photograph a supernova before it fades. SN 2026aaiv follows another Type Ia SN in the same galaxy, SN 2025rbs, underscoring a Milky Way–like host galaxy’s busy stellar life.