Supernova in M51

[Whitters]

AAVSO Special Notice #241

Supernova in M51
June 3, 2011

A new supernova in M51 was discovered by A. Riou and confirmed by several
sources, including the Palomar Transient Factory (Silverman et al., ATEL
3398). It is located at
13:30:05.08 +47:10:11.2 J2000
and has a magnitude of about 13.5. Nice images of the supernova can be
found at:
http://6888comete.free.fr/fr/imageSN.htm

PTF also obtained a spectra from Keck, indicating that this is a type II
supernova with a relatively blue continuum with P-Cygni profiles in the
Balmer series.

This is a unique event, because it occurs in a galaxy that is imaged almost
constantly. There must be many photos available that show the rise of this
SNe, so the data-mining opportunity is obvious. It is transiting at local
twilight and should be observable for northern hemisphere observers for
several months.

A new APASS sequence should be uploaded soon. We recommend taking nightly
monitoring images in B and V for CCD observers, along with visual estimates,
until the supernova is no longer visible.

Here is an excuse to take the 10 millionth image of M51!
Arne

[Rick]

[BAA-ebulletin 00583]  Supernova in galaxy M51
(c) 2011 British Astronomical Association -- http://www.britastro.org/

New Supernova in Galaxy M51

Guy Hurst, UK Nova / Supernova Patrol and Supernova Search Coordinator for the BAA Deep Sky Section, today issued a TA Circular (E2743) giving details of a new supernova discovery in M51.

The object is located at: RA 13h 30m 05.8s and Dec +47deg 10min  11.2sec (2000). The magnitude of SN is currently around 13.5 putting it within easy range of imagers and visual observers with medium to large aperture telescopes.

An image of the galaxy taken by Ron Arbour, with the SN marked, can be found on the BAA Variable Star Section web pages at:

http://www.britastro.org/vss/

M51 is a popular target for both visual observers and imagers and members are asked to check any images of the galaxy taken over the last week for signs of the "new" star.

Please forward all images (past and future), with full details of equipment / filters / exposures to the Director at sigarro at btinternet dot com.

Stewart Moore, Director BAA Deep Sky Section
2011 June 3

[mickw]

Todays APOD another fairly recent SN

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110611.html

[Carole]

After I lost the NA Nebula last night (dome in the way), I pointed the scope at M51 hoping to catch the SN while I had the chance (not sure how long these things last for).  Only managed to get 4 subs before dawn arrived (Yes I was up THAT LATE!!!)

Rubbish image but does show the SN.

Before and after shots.  My image on 9.5.11 and 12.6.11 with the Supernova:
(Seemed more appropriate to put the image here)

[MarkS]

It's a genuine supernova!

Nice one.

Mark

[Carole]

Would be interesting if it developed a supernova remnant right on the edge of M51, what with it being an interactive double galaxy anyway. 

Carole

[RobertM]

Why wouldn't it develop into a supernova remnant ? I expect a couple of years will see the James Webb telescope picking up the outer shell.

Robert

[Carole]

Why wouldn't it develop into a supernova remnant ?

Didn't say it wouldn't was just saying what an interesting image that will make.  Also not sure how long these things take to develop, must do some reading. 

Carole

[Carole]

Right, found this little lot on the web.  Looks like it will be a "few" years before we get anything interesting to image.

Type II supernovae (which are thought to be the result of core collapse of a massive star) generally have a plateau in brightness before dimming more slowly. Their peak brightness can last several months.

rate = 5% / 20 years = 0.25% per year
Common sense tells us that the remnant expanded 100% since the actual supernova. Since distance = rate × time, algebra tells us that time = distance / rate. You can therefore determine the age (time) of the remnant by the following formula:
time = 100% / (0.25% per year) = 400 years
These calculations assume that the speed at which the remnant is expanding has remained constant, and therefore give us the maximum age of the remnant. Remnants, after all, only slow down their expansion; they do suddenly expand faster than before. Scientists believe that by measuring the expansion rate in the fast-moving parts of supernova remnants they can determine a relatively accurate age (Keohane, "Age").
The supernova remnants, as they move through space and blend into the interstellar medium, are responsible for distributing these heavy elements. The remaining clouds of gas, left from the interstellar medium combined with the heavy elements from the supernova remnants, eventually cool and collapse to form the interstellar clouds which are responsible for creating other stars and planets (Burrows). This means that all of the planets in our solar system are made up of material from supernova remnants. Every atom in the Earth, the trees, and your body were all once part of the inside of a star.
Once upon a time, billions of years ago, a star died. In a brilliant supernova, its violent death created remnants that would eventually form something wonderful. And we were there when it happened.

Carole

[Fay]

That is a  good capture Carole!

[Carole]

Oh thanks Fay, it wasn't supposed to be a decent image of M51 (I've sort of given up on doing galaxies from a light polluted site), it was just to capture the SN, and could only get about 4 x 5mins done before sunrise, all the others were washed out when I went out to pack up (after having a 45 min kip) as it was already quite light (3.30 ish).  

Carole

[Mike]

Well done Carole.

[mickw]

Carole, you could add the data from your previous version to enhance the spirals ?

Agree with Mike, well done.

[Carole]

Thanks Mike

Carole, you could add the data from your previous version to enhance the spirals ?

Hmmm, Good idea, might try that. 

Carole