[BAA-ebulletin 00802] SN in M106 (NGC4258)

[Rick]

[BAA-ebulletin 00802] SN in M106 (NGC4258)
(c) 2014 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/

A new supernova has been discovered near the core of M106 (NGC4258) at RA 12:18:57.71 Dec. +47:18:11.3 (J2000) placing it almost in the very centre of this barred spiral galaxy.  It was discovered on 2014 May 19.25 by Pan-STARRS1 at about mag 15.0.

It is currently (2014 05 21.888) at about mag 13.5 (R mag using UCAC-4 reference stars) as reported by Gianluca Masi, Francesca Nocentini and Patrick Schmeer, on CBAT http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/followups/J12185771+471811%20.html

The astronomers telegram (ATel #6159) report further pre-discovery observations by the KAIT team when the object was first detected on images on Apr. 09.35.  The object then had a steady rise, with an increase of about 2 mag in the first two weeks. The brightness thereafter is roughly constant at 15 mag.

They then add that owing to the high background and the very small projected distance from the host nucleus, it is difficult to make a precise measurement of the brightness, but the light curve is consistent with that of a Type II-P supernova.

However, M106 is well placed in Canes Venatici in the evening sky at the moment and observations are encouraged..

Please report any magnitude estimates you are able to make to both Guy Hurst (guy at tahq demon co uk) and the VSS (http://www.britastro.org/vss/data_submission.htm)

Roger Pickard
roger.pickard@sky.com
2014 May 22