Study of Supernova SN 2023zcu Aids Cosmic Distance Measurement

A detailed study of Type IIP supernova SN 2023zcu, discovered in 2023 in galaxy NGC 2139 (90.7 million light-years away), enhances understanding of cosmic distance scales. Using the Expanding Photospheric Method, researchers from ARIES estimated its distance at 27 Mpc. The progenitor star was about 12 solar masses with typical explosion energy. Observations across rise, plateau, and nebular phases reveal minimal pre-explosion mass loss and element formation. The research, published in The Astrophysical Journal, improves knowledge of core-collapse supernovae dynamics.