Figure 14-12 RIVUXG A Supernova in a Spiral Galaxy These images from NASA’s SWIFT orbiting telescope show the spiral galaxy M100 (a) before and (b) after a Type Ia supernova exploded within the galaxy in 2006. On the left is an image taken on November 11, 2005, before the explosion, while the image on the right was taken on February 8, 2006, after the explosion. The position of the supernova is indicated by the arrow. Such luminous supernovae, which can be seen at extreme distances, are important standard candles used to determine the distances to faraway galaxies.