New bright(ish) Supernova

[lukebl]

Hey all,

A new supernova was discovered a couple of days ago in the galaxy NGC3972 in Ursa Major. It's about 14th magnitude and bright enough to be worth having a go at imaging it. Unfortunately, it's in a blind spot for my obsy, but I'm sure someone could have a go. Here's the details: POSSIBLE SUPERNOVA IN NGC 3972 - Zhangwei Jin

I've been thinking that I really must find one myself. Surely it can't be that hard! Just take a look at this Carte du Ciel screen grab from the area around NGC3972. Each red blob is a galaxy down to about mag 19. That's a HECK of a lot of galaxies. Just need to make time to take a whole series of quick images. You'll catch loads of galaxies in a single frame.

[garethmob]

thanks for the heads up lukebl might give it a try!

[Demonperformer]

Thanks for the HU. Will give it a go as soon as I get a decent clear sky - i could get pluto with the streetlights, so i should be able to get this from the dark side of the house.

[Hypernova]

Thanks for the heads up Luke

But it looks like at mag 14.2 it is out of reach in my 8" dob from my suburban location, that is unless it gets even brighter, mag 13 (same as 2011b) might just push it into my eyes

[lukebl]

.....But it looks like at mag 14.2 it is out of reach in my 8" dob from my suburban location, that is unless it gets even brighter, mag 13 (same as 2011b) might just push it into my eyes

It's only just been discovered, so it could be on the rise. Alternatively, it could also be fading!

[Demonperformer]

Well, I have had to push the image quite a lot, but this is with 30s subs on the SLT. Looking at the pics on the link in OP, I think this is it.

[lukebl]

Cool, DP, looks like you definitely bagged it. What camera did you use?

[Demonperformer]

Modded canon 1000D

CLS clip filter + UVIR cut filter

ISO 1600

41x30s subs taken, stacked at 80% + 20 darks (no flats)

Scope is 102mm, f6.5

[Doc]

Compared your photo to the screen display of the galaxy on Sky6 and the supernova isn't there so I would say you caught it.

Well done.

[Dave]

Good catch DP.

[Gra]

Well done DP

[SkyJamie]

Nice one for the heads up Luke and awesome catch DP

All the best

Jamie

[Ransu]

My last night image of supernova. Taken with Celestron 8 and EOS1000D, guided by synguider+100/660 celestron achro.

5min subs, total 2h57min of light.

My first ever image of supernova:)

[Demonperformer]

Rauno

Congratulations on your first SN. Much better pic than mine.

[Ransu]

Thanks:)

One more cropped image of that supernova, i'm very happy with this result:

[CamoCustom]

That is something else, to capture the light from that supernova that has probably occurred millions of years ago now.....Very cool!

[Hypernova]

According to the Rochester Astronomy page, the supernova, thought be type 1a, has brightened slightly to mag 13.9.

[Talitha]

Here's the supernova announcement from my email... sure looks hopeful.

"A mag 14.5 supernova (2011by) has been found in NGC 3972

The position is about 5" east and 19" north of the galaxy's center.

Spectrum indicates it is a young event.

On April 27th at 5 UT it matches a previous supernova about 10 days before maximum.

It's expected that the supernova will become much brighter before peaking."

Great images, BTW!!

[melsky]

Took this wide field shot on the 1st May in the hope of catching my second supernova of the spring, shot on a Canon 550D with a 200mm L lens on the Astrotrac with 5 x 3minutes exposures.

You can see how wide the full field is because the height of the frame spans Megrez to Phad but I still managed to get it with only 200mm of focal length.

Mel

[Hypernova]

Double post, please delete

[Hypernova]

The magnitude estimate from Rochester Astronomy has risen significantly to mag 13.2! This one that I will be definitely be searching for tonight as it is now within range of my huble 8" dob

[JamesF]

If the sky stays clear I shall definitely be trying to find it, though I think it's going to be tough for me. At least it's pretty close to the zenith.

James

[acey]

I observed it for the second time last night with my 12" and found it to have brightened - I estimated 13.3 but can quite believe 13.2. I posted data for comparison stars in another thread:

http://stargazerslounge.com/observing-deep-sky/140452-bright-ish-supernova-ngc-3972-a.html#post1802917

The supernova is easily within reach of an 8" though the host galaxy is not - I tried for it with an 8-inch from a dark site a few years ago and couldn't see it. So a detailed finder chart would be needed.

[Ransu]

I tried imaging supernova one more time, more and more lightening nightsky making it difficult.

I took this one last night with WO 80mm, 2 hours of light with Canon EOS1000D, 3min subs. No filters.

[lukebl]

Still brightening. Latest estimates make it 13.0.

Saw it visually myself at last night. A bit more satisfying than capturing it on a CCD chip!