Possible M106 supernova

[Dave_D]

http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=6156

Anyone seen any other info about this?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

That's very interesting. More info here:

http://www.rochesterastronomy.org/supernova.html#PSNJ12185771+4718113

it is now at mag 14.8, so could brighten considerably. Well placed high in the sky, so all we need is a bit of brightening (one magnitude or better for my C8) and clear skies.

[andrew63]

Thanks for the news. A type 11 -  does that mean it could brighten quite a bit ? Would be great if it rivaled the one M82 earlier in the year.

andrew

[callump]

The KAIT prediscovery report suggests it's been around since April 9 - so probably at it's peak now, and levelling off.

Callum

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The KAIT prediscovery report suggests it's been around since April 9 - so probably at it's peak now, and levelling off.

Callum

In that case it should remain beyond reach of my scope

Thanks for the news. A type 11 -  does that mean it could brighten quite a bit ? Would be great if it rivaled the one M82 earlier in the year.

andrew

Type 2 (II) supernovae are not very predictable in their peak brightness, unlike type 1a supernovae, which have a fairly constant peak absolute magnitude, so if you know the distance, you can estimate the peak visual magnitude. The brightness of a type 2 SN depends on the mass of the progenitor star.

[laser_jock99]

I imaged M106 four days ago- would it be visible in this? Or are we talking very faint indeed?

M106 (17-05-14) 10" F4 scope 15s

Edit- probably not, it's right in the core and burned out in my image

More here:

http://www.universetoday.com/112070/new-supernova-pops-in-bright-galaxy-m106-in-the-hunting-dogs/

[Vega]

14.8 ?  A bit of a challenge for me. Oh well... I'll wait for Betelgeuse to go. 

[JimFR]

14.8 is going to be a problem for me - theoretically doable in 5.1", but not with urban skies...and the weather !

I missed the M82 one too.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

14.8 is going to be a problem for me - theoretically doable in 5.1", but not with urban skies...and the weather !

I missed the M82 one too.

I doubt a 5.1" scope can reach mag 14.8. Even my 8" cannot do that: 14.0 is roughly the limit of my scope. I have done 13.9 from my suburban garden, so might be able to stretch a little beyond

[swamp thing]

I'll have a look for this if we get a clear one this week.