If you like reading about and/or observing the universe's biggest blasts, you'll be interested in a book that just crossed my desk. Supernovae and How to Observe Them by Martin Mobberley is, as the title suggests, a dual-purpose book.
In "Part 1 — Supernovae: Physics and Statistics," Mobberley gives a bit of supernova history, introduces the types of supernovae, and tells us what astronomers have learned by studying these massive explosions. Mobberley's writing style will appeal to readers at all levels. One diagram (with a long explanation) graphs Omega Mass (how much gravity producing potential there is) versus Omega Lambda (which astronomers associate with the term "dark energy" and the universe's accelerated expansion).
Part 1 also includes chapters labeled "Supernovae in Our Neighborhood" and "The Top 100 Extragalactic Supernovae." In these narratives, Mobberley describes nearby supernovae and the best telescopic supernovae since 1885. That year, three astronomers discovered a supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy — the first supernova observed outside the Milky Way.
Mobberley's favorite supernova — and it's a choice echoed by many professional and amateur astronomers alike — is Supernova 1987A. This cosmic blast occurred in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. It's the brightest extragalactic supernova, peaking at an amazing magnitude 2.8 many weeks after its discovery. This event also yielded astronomers the first confirmed neutrinos from a supernova. Supernova 1987A continues to provide vast amounts of scientific data.
"Part 2 — Observing and Discovering Supernovae" provides tips and techniques for supernova hunters. Mobberley directs his narrative to both visual observers and those using photographic means to capture these events. My favorite chapter was "The Discoverers Themselves." In this chapter, Mobberley introduces us to seven dedicated supernova hunters. One of these short stories may inspire the next great searcher to point his or her telescope to distant galaxies.
If you've ever thought about hunting for supernovae, or if you just want to know more about them, this book is one you'll want to add to your reference shelf.